SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—Wittenberg men's basketball opened up Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Tournament play on Thursday with a commanding win against Geneva; 77-52. The Tigers worked their way into the paint early and often, scoring more than half their points inside in a victory that propelled the team into the championship game on Friday against Millikin University. The Tiger's scoring was evenly distributed throughout the lineup, as ten Tigers found themselves in the scoring column on Thursday. Wittenberg was led by Cody Phillippi and Shane Edwards, who each notched 15 points in the win.

GAME NOTES

• As Phillippi and Edwards combined for 30 points, the Tigers defense limited Geneva's top scoring options to minimal production on Thursday, as the Golden Tornadoes could not get in a rhythm on offense, turning the ball over 22 times.  
• Wittenberg took care of the ball in the winning effort, turning the ball over nine times, while scoring 34 points on Geneva miscues.
• Jaelin Williams poured in 13 points and pulled down seven boards to lead the Tigers, as the senior also picked up five steals.
• Wittenberg edged out the Golden Tornadoes 35-30 on the boards, while recording 14 steals in the contest.

UP NEXT

• Wittenberg squares off against a Millkin team that knocked off Calvin earlier on Thursday in the championship game of the tournament on Friday at 7:00PM.