CRESTVIEW HILLS, Kentucky—Wittenberg women's basketball opened up play at the Julie Costello Memorial Classic against the two-time defending national champion Thomas More Saints. Wittenberg hung tight with the perennial powerhouse at the start, but eventually fell to the tournament host 96-68. Wittenberg led the Saints early on in the first quarter, but the Saints of Thomas More shot over 50 percent from the field in the game, earning the victory.

GAME NOTES

• Wittenberg led at the 7:46 mark of action on Saturday, as the Tigers found themselves down 22-12 at the end of the first quarter.  
• Alexis Perry paced the Tigers with six points in the first half, as Bobbie Clayton pulled down four rebounds in the opening two quarters, but the Tigers found themselves down as a team 48-21 at halftime.
• The Tigers allowed the Saints to go on a run in the third quarter, but the red and white stood tall in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Saints 31-19 in the period.
• Perry guided the Tigers offense in the second half, producing 11 points.

KEY STATS

• Junior sharp-shooter Becca Ziska cam alive for the Tigers in the second half, knocking in three three-pointers in the Tigers efforts.
• The Tigers were outscored in the paint 44-22, as the Saints bench had the upper hand in scoringas well, 39-22.
• Perry paced the Tigers offense with a season high 17 points, while pulling down three rebounds.

UP NEXT

• Wittenberg returns to action tomorrow against Maryville at 2:00PM.