HANOVER, Ind. – A new season of Wittenberg women's basketball began tonight with a 64-54 win over Transylvania, fueled by several impressive individual performances and strong group efforts on both sides of the floor at the Hanover Tip-Off Classic.

There was no question that two-time All-NCAC post Sarah Watson '12 would be difficult to replace after averaging 13.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 2011-12, but the 2012-13 Tigers seem to have more than made up for the loss.

Junior wing Amber Rice (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) made the strongest case with the game of her career with 21 points in 31 minutes on the floor, shooting 7-of-10 from the field, including 5-of-7 from three-point range, and 2-for-2 at the free throw line.

She added four steals, two assists and five rebounds. Those numbers set career highs for Rice in scoring, field goals made and attempted, three-point goals made and attempted and field goal percentage, and tying a career high in steals.

Sophomore post Karen Daniel-Hamberg (Columbus, Ohio/Grandview) made a similar statement with her own career highs of 10 rebounds and three blocks in the contest.

Rice was followed in the scoring column by sophomore Enri Small (Columbus, Ohio/Columbus School for Girls) with eight points and senior Sarah Skidmore (Troy, Ohio/Miami East) and sophomore Darbie Zirkle (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) both at seven.

Sophomore Amber Lara (Oak Park, Ill./River Forest) and senior Kim Replogle (Houston, Ohio/Houston) also posted solid efforts with five points and six rebounds for Lara and five points and eight boards for Replogle.

As a team, the Tigers held a slight 46-42 advantage on the boards but won the game in several other columns, finishing with 12 assists to Transylvania's two, 12 steals against the Pioneers' eight, and six blocks to the opponents' two.

Wittenberg takes on host Hanover tomorrow at 1 p.m. to finish off the Tip-Off Classic. Find links to live stats and video on www.WittenbergTigers.com.

John Strawn '07