Granville, Ohio – The Wittenberg University men's basketball team traveled to Denison University to take on the Big Red and bring the regular season series back to even in an NCAC battle. The Tigers took down the Big Red 82-72 by the end of the night, as Wittenberg led from just about start to finish on the Denison home floor. The Red and White were paced by Connor Seipel with 31 points and Jacob Bertemes with 19 points on the night. Wittenberg posted a 57 percent mark from the field, converting on 35 of 61 attempts. The Tigers dominated inside as Wittenberg doubled Denison's points in the paint at 44-10. With this win, Wittenberg moves to 15-5 on the season and 9-4 in NCAC action.
Game Breakdown
The Tigers took an early 21-9 lead midway through the first half. Jordan Pumroy extended the Wittenberg lead out to 11-points by converting the four-point play, knocking down a three-point jumper from Levi Boettcher and knocking down the ensuing free-throw. Denison chipped away at the Tiger advantage during the final minutes of the first half, but a late Tiger run gave the Red and White a 39-31 lead at the break. Seipel closed out the first half with 11 points and six rebounds for the Red and White. Bertemes cut through the Denison defense in the first half, posting subtle 13 points with two rebounds and an assist. Landon Martin came off the bench for the Tigers, scoring all seven of his points in the first half. Wittenberg would have to fend off a late Denison run in the second half, before extending their advantage out to as many as 15-points during the final 10 minutes of the game. The Tigers outscored the Big Red 43-41 in the second half.
Who Stood Out
Seipel finished the night two points shy of his career-high, converting on 14 of 21 from the floor, adding 11 rebounds five assists and two blocked shots. Bertemes knocked down 8 of 14 open looks from the floor, tracking down three rebounds with two assists and a steal. Three separate tigers finished with six points, as Mitchell Balser found his stroke in the final minutes knocking down back-to-back three-pointers in the final minutes. Pumroy would finish with six points and James Johnson added six points on 3 of 6 shooting from the field with six rebounds and three assists.
UP NEXT
Wittenberg will return to action at 1:00 PM to host the Lords of Kenyon College on Saturday, Feb. 1 from Pam Evans Smith Arena. Join the Tigers at for a memorial ceremony for the late coach Larry Hunter and a Champions Day recognition during halftime.