WILMINGTON, Ohio - Even with no fewer than seven players sidelined due to injury and illness, the Wittenberg Tigers nearly pulled off the impossible before finally succombing to eighth-ranked Thomas More 85-76 in the season opener for both teams.

Wittenberg, which will play Trine in the consolation match of Wilmington's Damon's/Hampton Inn Tip-Off Tournament, did have its projected starting five intact, and four others contributed quality minutes off the bench in the loss. Thomas More advanced to take on the host Quakers in Saturday's title tilt.

Four starters finished in double figures offensively for Wittenberg, which led for most of the first 30 minutes of the game. Leading the charge was junior Enri Small (Columbus, Ohio/Columbus School for Girls), who poured in 23 points to go along with four rebounds and two assists.

Senior Amber Rice (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) added 13 points and six rebounds for the Tigers, who shot 47 percent from the field but saw the Saints attempt 12 more free throws in the game. Sophomore Taylore Bundy (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) and junior Katelyn Haralamos (Maineville, Ohio/Kings) added 12 tallies each.

After taking a 43-39 edge into the locker room at halftime, Wittenberg maintainted a slim advantage for nearly 11 minutes of the second half. However, Thomas More put together a 16-1 run that turned a four-point Wittenberg lead into an 11-point Saints advantage at the 5:27 mark.

The Tigers made a late run, closing to within five points, but Thomas More hit four free throws in the final 29 seconds to finish off the victory.