Springfield, Ohio – The Wittenberg women's basketball team closed out 2017 against #14 Ohio Northern University, the Tigers fell to the Polar Bears 63-43 on the last day of the Kiwanis Holiday Classic. The Tigers were led by junior Alex Kiess, posting 15 points and pulling down five rebounds earning all-tournament team along the way. Kiess tallied a 27-point two-day total, adding seven rebounds. Junior wing Sydney Mayle also earned all-tournament team honors, recording 31 points and hauling in 16 rebounds over two contests.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Wittenberg went into the break trailing 30-16, shooting 20% from beyond the arc. The Tigers increased their scoring with each quarter of action, managing 27 points over the final 20 minutes of play. Kiess posted 10 of her final 15 through the final two-quarters of play, adding four rebounds. Mayle finished with a full stat line, tallying nine points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Kristie Kalis followed up her game with 15 rebounds against Susquehanna, recording a team-high seven against the Polar Bears on Saturday. Kalis added five points, three blocks and a steal to her total. Freshman Delaney Williams finished her first Kiwanis Holiday Classic with a full stat line, tallying seven boards, four assists, three steals, to go along with her six points.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Wittenberg converted on 28% of their field goal attempts from the field. The Tigers recorded 22 points in the paint, as the Wittenberg bench continues to produce in bunches.
UP NEXT: Wittenberg will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 3 when they host Kenyon College. Tip-off is set for 7:30PM from Pam Evans Smith Arena, as Wittenberg's schedule turns to strictly NCAC contests.