Meadville, Pa. – The Wittenberg women's basketball took down the Gators of Allegheny College on Friday night 81-62. The Tigers finished with four players scoring in double figures on the night. Leading the way would be the first-year duo of Delaney Williams and Kristie Kalis. With a career-high 25 points on 7 of 16 shooting from the field, Williams knocked down all 10 of her attempts from the free-throw line. The freshman guard, Williams would go on to add six assists and five boards, and three steals to her total on the night. Kalis would post her second double-double in as many games with an electric second half, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds. This win puts the Wittenberg women's team back above the .500 mark on the season at 11-10, pushing them to an even 6-6 in NCAC play.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Junior Alex Kiess would get the offense going in the first quarter for Wittenberg, providing six of the first 11 points. Kiess would finish with 14 points, reeling in six rebounds, adding two steals and a blocked shot. The Tigers would have to fight to overcome a 33-29 deficit at the break. While the Gators lead was slowly slipping away going into the intermission, junior Hannah Weaver posted an unconscious second quarter going perfect from the field, to score all 11 of her points. Wittenberg would come alive in the third quarter of action outscoring Allegheny 28-10 out of the break. The Tigers would be led by Kalis off the bench out of the break, scoring 13 of her 19 in the third quarter. As the Tigers would shoot the lights out, Kalis converted on all five of her shots in the third quarter adding five rebounds and a blocked shot. Williams provided nine of her 25 points without a missed basket in the third quarter of action. Williams would go on to convert 10 of her final 14 points in the fourth quarter from the foul line, while Kalis would go on to reel in four rebounds through the duration.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: In a game that went back and forth, Wittenberg managed to extend a lead out to as many as 19 points. The Tigers were able to convert on 26 of 61 attempts from the field, as 42% of their three-point attempts fell through the cylinder. Wittenberg won the battle on the boards, taking the final tally 46-37. With the battle on the glass won, the battle inside was the next key to success as the Tigers scored 35 points in the paint.
FROM THE BENCH: "Our third quarter was the difference in the game tonight. We shot the ball extremely well and locked down on defense that quarter. I am really proud of how this team is battling right now," said head coach Kelly Mahlum.
UP NEXT: Wittenberg will return to action on Saturday, February 3 when they travel to Hiram College for an NCAC battle with the Terriers set for 3:00 PM.
We just can't wait to get into the gym! Taking on the Gators at Allegheny tonight! 6pm. Watch the live video if you cannot make the trip. @WittAthletics #GoTigers pic.twitter.com/3VdhrbFRUH
— Witt Women's BB (@WittWBB) February 2, 2018
.@WittWBB at Allegheny
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) February 3, 2018
��: FINAL#TigerUp pic.twitter.com/Nd1n9oyrs8