SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—For the first time since the 2013-14 campaign, the Wittenberg Tigers emerged victorious out of the quarterfinals of the NCAC tournament. The Tigers sent a loud and clear message to the league on Tuesday night, dropping the number five-seeded Hiram Terriers 90-44 inside Pam Evans Smith Arena. The Tigers kept the lead from wire-to-wire, leading by as many as 47 points in the exclamation point victory. Wittenberg looked masterful on the defensive end of the floor, holding the Terriers to a 27% field-goal percentage in the win. Offensively, Wittenberg was paced by Cody Phillippi who scored 15 points in Pam Evans Smith Arena for one final time. The Tigers victory earns the team a tilt with Ohio Wesleyan University on Friday, February 24 at 5:30PM in Delaware in the first of two NCAC Tournament semifinal games.
GAME NOTES
- Wittenberg jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead, capped off by a Landon Hormann layup at the 17:56 mark in the first half.
- The Tigers lead ballooned to 30-19 with 4:45 remaining in the opening period as Jordan Pumroy connected on a long three-pointer from the top of the key.
- With :45 remaining in the first, freshman Connor Seipel made both of his free-throws, helping the Tigers take a 39-21 lead into the locker-room.
- Off the bench, Chris Sloneker made an instant impact for the Tigers, highlighted by a layup with 13:00 remaining that put the Tigers up 60-30.
- Jacob Bertemes, Mark Fair II, and Micah Miller all scored late buckets for the Tigers as the final buzzer sounded with the red and white on top 90-44.
KEY STATS
- Wittenberg out-rebounded the Terriers 50-30 in the win, as well as outscoring their bench 41-29.
- 14 of the Tigers 32 buckets came off of assists, as Jaelin Williams and Chad Roy each recorded three apiece.
- Wittenberg forced Hiram into 14 turnovers on the night, as Phillippi recorded three steals on the night.
FROM THE BENCH
- "Once we were in the lead, we just focused on executing and not watching the scoreboard. One thing at a time and a simple approach helped us have even production when you looked right down the list for us," said Coach Croci.
UP NEXT
- Wittenberg returns to action in the semifinals of the NCAC Tournament on Friday at 5:30PM against OWU, in Delaware, Ohio.
- Live stats and video will be provided by OWU later in the week.