SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers overcame a slow start to pull away from visiting Allegheny College, 63-50, in Friday night North Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball action. It was Wittenberg's 30th win in 33 meetings with the Gators, and the Tigers' ninth win in the last 10 meetings between the two teams.

More importantly, Wittenberg improved to 7-5 overall and 4-0 in the NCAC, while Allegheny dropped to 6-7 overall and 2-2 in the conference. The Tigers stand atop the conference title chase with defending regular season champion Kenyon heading into a Saturday afternoon tilt against Hiram, also in the HPER Center.

Both teams emerged from the locker rooms ice cold, but the Tigers finally broke a 2-2 tie at the 14:24 mark of the first half on a layup by freshman wing Rachel Dixon. Allegheny never drew even again in the game, thanks in part to 31 percent shooting in the first half and a woeful 2-of-11 performance from the free throw line for the game. Wittenberg also struggled with its shooting, making just 38.6 percent for the game, but after a 3-of-8 start from the free throw line, the Tigers hit 12-of-14 in the final 20 minutes to put the game away.

The Tigers won the rebounding battle 45-40 and were led by an outstanding all-around performance from junior post Kathy Hittle, who had 13 points, four rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals. Hittle made just 3-of-11 from the field, but she came on strong with 7-of-8 from the line. Junior wing Megan Miller added nine points, all in the second half, sophomore post Ali Rohlfs chipped in with five points, five rebounds and five assists, junior wing Rachel Clark-Haggy rounded out her night with eight points and six rebounds and sophomore post Katie Gregorevich came off the bench to contribute seven points and 11 rebounds in 17 productive minutes.

Allegheny had just one player reach double figures as Meghan Vasilisin finished with 10 points, while Courtney Steding was high with eight rebounds.