Springfield, OH - The Wittenberg men's basketball team got back on the winning track, returning to Pam Evans Smith Arena and defeating North Coast Athletic Conference foe Ohio Wesleyan, 71-64. Wittenberg filled up the stat sheet as nine Tigers made their way into the scoring column against the Battling Bishops. The Tiger offense was led by Jake Bertemes, posting 18 points knocking down 5 of 10 shots from the floor, including making all eight of Wittenberg's free-throw attempts in the second half. Sophomore Levi Boettcher came off the bench for the Tigers, adding 11 points, including a highlight-reel dunk, going along with his three assists. The Tigers won the battle inside, outrebounding OWU 35-32, as well as outscoring the Bishops inside 32-28. Connor Seipel led the rebounding effort for the Tigers with 12 rebounds, adding three assists and a steal to his final line.
Tonight @WittenbergHoops coaches join NACB in their fight against cancer. 50-50 Raffle tickets will be sold with all proceeds going back into @CoachesvsCancer #TigerUphttps://t.co/gNvAdCpq6N pic.twitter.com/DtIharXua6
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) January 22, 2020
Game Breakdown
The Tigers maintained a 26-16 lead with under 10 minutes in the first half, after converting a knockdown three-pointer from James Johnson, assisted by Jordan Pumroy. The Tigers fought off a late Ohio Wesleyan attack, holding onto a 29-25 lead with just inside five-minutes remaining in the action, as Boettcher knocked down the triple assisted by Bertemes. Wittenberg held onto a 39-28 lead at the break, as Boettcher led the Tiger scoring effort, posting eight points coming off the bench for the Red and White. Wittenberg knocked down 15 of 30 shots from the floor through the opening half, converting on 6 of 13 from beyond the arc. Landon Martin took seven points into the break, while Bertemes and Jordan Pumroy tallied six apiece. Pumroy picked up all of his points, converting on both his attempts from deep range. Ohio Wesleyan would not go away heading down the stretch, as the Battling Bishops kept the pressure on the Tiger offense, putting together a six-point run with just under 10 minutes in the game. Wittenberg maintained a 67-58 lead over the Bishops, converting on 44 percent from the floor in the second half. The Tigers were a perfect 8 of 8 from the free-throw line during the second half. Bertemes unloaded in the second half, adding 12 points to his total, adding two rebounds and one assist.
MBKB Update: Wittenberg putting it DOWN! #tiger up pic.twitter.com/GGwjd5lbxt
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) January 23, 2020
From The Bench
UP NEXT
Wittenberg will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 25 hosting the Oberlin College Yeomen from Pam Evans Smith Arena. Tip-off against the Yeomen is set for 4:00 PM.