GREENCASTLE, Ind. - The Wittenberg Tigers opened a game against nationally ranked DePauw with three straight turnovers. They recovered to take two different one-point leads midway through the first half. However, a 19-7 DePauw run to end the first half doomed the visiting Tigers, leading to a 13-point halftime deficit and eventually to an 85-70 loss.
Wittenberg fell to 4-4 overall with its third loss to a ranked opponent in the early portion of the 2005-06 season. DePauw won for the seventh straight time to open the season, equalling the best start in school history.
The visiting Tigers made several second half runs at the homestanding Tigers, pushing the lead down to six points early in the final 20 minutes, nine points in the final six minutes and eight points with 3:17 to go, but DePauw always had the answers.
Statistically, the story of the game was turnovers. While Wittenberg was committing 21 turnovers, DePauw took tremendous care of the ball, finishing with just eight in the game, a season-low for a Tiger opponent. The two teams shot a similar percentage (40.3 for Wittenberg and 43.4 for DePauw) and the visiting Tigers hit seven more three-pointers in the game. But DePauw won the rebounding battle by two and made six more free throws, and in combination with the turnover differential easily earned the win.
Wittenberg was led offensively by sophomore post Ali Rohlfs, who finished with a career-high 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range, and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Rohlfs also shared team rebounding honors with sophomore post Katie Gregorevich, as both finished with seven boards. In addition, junior wing Megan Miller chipped in with 14 points, including four three-pointers, and junior post Kathy Hittle contributed six points, six rebounds and three blocked shots despite foul problems.
DePauw put three players in double figures offensively, led by Suzy Doughty with a career-high 19 points. Liz Bondi was too much for the Tigers in the paint as she finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds.