Springfield, OH- The undefeated Tigers took on the Soaring Eagles of Elmira in the Kiwanis Holiday Classic in Pam Evans Smith Arena. With an easy 81-51 win over the Soaring Eagles, the No. 3 Tigers continue their winning streak and improve to a 9-0 record.
Wittenberg wasted no time getting to work in the first half, Connor Seipel was the first to put numbers on the board. The Tigers quickly gained a 9-0 lead in the first half and ended the half putting up 36 points. Seipel was quick to lead the Tigers in points with James Johnson following behind in the first half, the duo had a total of 24 points. At the end of the half Wittenberg led 36-25 with a 42.9 FG%, 80.0 FT%, and 19 total rebounds. Tiger defense held Elmira to 34.5% in field goals, and 16 total rebounds.
The now 9-0 Tigers went into the second half with an eleven point lead which soon became a twenty point lead with fifteen minutes of play left in the second. Elmira defense put Jordan Pumroy on the line for three consecutive plays, tallying six more points for Wittenberg to bring the score up 64-32 and nine more minutes to play. A quick paced Tiger defense did not let up on the Soaring Eagles, holding them to 26 points in the second half and a FG% of only 31.7% for both halves.
Key Players: Seipel led the Tigers on the offense with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Seipel is currently first in the NCAC for rebounds per game picking up an average of 11.3, first in FG% with 71.3%, and fifth for points per game, averaging 17.9. Pumroy led the Tigers in assists, totaling 5.
NCAC Leaders: James Johnson joins Seipel in the top five for 3PT%, landing in second with 56.1% and tied for fourth in blocks with 11.
Up Next: The Tigers will be back in action tomorrow, December 30th at 7:00 PM for the Kiwanis Holiday Classic Championship against Ohio Northern.