SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Defense carried the day for the Wittenberg Tigers in a hard-fought 49-34 victory over the visiting Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops in the 2013-14 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) opener for both teams.

The win moved the Tigers to 5-2 overall, while Ohio Wesleyan fell to 2-4. The two teams will meet again on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The key for Wittenberg was a stifling defensive effort that forced the Bishops into 25 percent shooting from the field and a whopping 31 turnovers. The Tigers had struggles of their own, finishing with 36 percent shooting from the field and 26 turnovers, but it was enough to pull away in the second half.

The two teams battled to a 20-20 deadlock through the game's opening half, but Wittenberg owned the final 20 minutes, outscoring OWU 29-14. The Battling Bishops made just five field goals and 4-of-10 free throws as the Tigers slowly extended the lead.

Ohio Wesleyan's 34 points were the lowest point total for a Wittenberg opponent since January 2004, when Hiram managed just 26 points in a 58-point loss.

Senior Amber Rice (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) was the story for the Tigers as she poured in 23 points, seven rebounds and six steals. She hit 10-of-18 shots from the field, although she was just 1-of-6 from three-point range. As a team, Wittenberg finished 2-of-13 from beyond the arc.

Rice was the lone Tiger to reach double figures offensively for Wittenberg, but there were plenty of other statistics of note in the final box score. Sophomore Ali Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) pulled down six rebounds and added five blocked shots, which matched an eight-year-old school record previously held exclusively by Kathy Hittle.

In addition, junior Katelyn Haralamos (Maineville, Ohio/Kings) added five points and six steals off the bench, while junior Darbie Zirkle (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) chipped in with seven points.