SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers continued to fend off stern challenges from North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rivals, this time pulling away from visiting Allegheny down the stretch of what became a 73-63 victory.
The win moved the Tigers back above .500 overall for the first time since the opening game of the 2009-10 season at 7-6. More importantly, Wittenberg is now 5-0 and tied for first place in the conference standings, heading into a key game at defending tournament titlist Ohio Wesleyan Saturday, Jan. 16. Allegheny fell to 5-9 overall and 2-2 in the NCAC after losing its second game in less than 24 hours.
Wittenberg led almost the entire game, but the Gators simply refused to go away, keeping the Tigers within two possessions until the closing minutes. For the second straight day, the Tigers held a significant rebounding advantage, this time corralling 46 to Allegheny's 33. That led to a 20-8 edge in second chance points for Wittenberg.
Wittenberg, which led 38-34 at halftime, shot 40 percent from the field, including 30 percent from three-point range. Allegheny shot 43 percent from the field but hit just 4-of-16 from long distance. Along with the rebounding margin, the other key statistical difference was from the free throw line, where Wittenberg hit 18-of-23, compared to 3-of-6 for the Gators.
Senior Stephanie Boardman (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley) turned in perhaps her finest performance of the 2009-10 season with 23 points and 11 rebounds. She now has 933 career points to stand ninth on the school's all-time list, and she also has 443 rebounds, which is nearing the top 10 on Wittenberg's list.
Boardman had plenty of help, starting with senior Carrie Dyer (Copley, Ohio/Copley), who contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. In addition, junior Katherine Hueter (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) was stellar again, adding 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals to the total team effort.
Wittenberg is now 37-7 all-time against Allegheny. The Tigers have won 16 of the last 18 meetings.