Cincinnati, Ohio – The Wittenberg women's basketball team was unable to take down the Lions of Mount St. Joseph University, falling in the close battle 68-63. The Tigers were led by Riley Culver (18) and Alex Kiess (17), combining for 35 points on the night and sparking the Wittenberg offense.
Game Breakdown
Wittenberg jumped out to a commanding 21-7 lead after the first quarter, holding the Lions of MSJ to shooting just 27 percent from the field to start the night. Amanda Raber converted both of her open looks in the first quarter, scoring five of her nine total points and adding two rebounds and two assists in the first ten minutes. Kiess put up six of her seven first half points in the first quarter, knocking down two of three from beyond the arc. Culver tallied up 12 points in the first half for the Red and White, knocking down five of six shots from the field. The Wapakoneta native would also add four rebounds and two blocked shots, along with one assist before heading into the break. The Tigers took a 38-33 lead into the intermission after fending off a MSJ counter attack before the half. MSJ kept the momentum out of the break, as they would outscore the Tigers 14-9 in the third quarter. As the fourth quarter wound down, the Tigers fought back to within one as MSJ would lead 64-63 with just under a minute remaining. Wittenberg held the Lions to just 5 of 14 from the field in the final quarter, not allowing a single deep ball to fall MSJ would go 0 for 3 from beyond the arc.
Who Stood Out
Culver would go on to finish her night knocking down 7 of 11 from the floor and converting on all four of her trips to the charity stripe for 18 points. Kiess would finish with back-to-back five-point quarters to close out the game, tracking down four rebounds, dishing out two assists and coming up with a steal. Kristie Kalis would finish with five rebounds and two assists, adding a blocked shot to go along with six points on the night.
The Thread
�� @WittWBB returns to action tonight as they head to @MSJ_Athletics for a 7:00 PM tip-off against the Lions! #TigerUp pic.twitter.com/q4emGFMImN
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) November 28, 2018
Senior Alex Kiess shares her thoughts ahead of @WittWBB road matchup against MSJ! ������️ #TigerUp
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) November 28, 2018
��️: 7:00 PM
��: Harrington Center | Cincinnati, OH
��: https://t.co/7liU8kMWGI
��: https://t.co/lrwfMjWreo pic.twitter.com/opCvnUjpbv
It is time we hear from head coach Kelly Mahlum of @WittWBB before the Tigers tip-off against MSJ down in Cincinnati,OH! ��️ #TigerUp
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) November 28, 2018
��️: 7:00 PM
��: Harrington Center
��: https://t.co/7liU8kMWGI
��: https://t.co/lrwfMjWreo pic.twitter.com/3j5eTUblQ0
We are minutes away from tip-off, as @WittWBB takes on MSJ. Here are the Tiger starting ��️!
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) November 28, 2018
��️: 7:00 PM
��: Harrington Center
��: https://t.co/7liU8kMWGI
��: https://t.co/lrwfMjWreo #TigerUp pic.twitter.com/ZG5cxtPFWA
�� @WittWBB goes into the break ahead of MSJ 38-33! Riley Culver leads the Tiger offense with 12 points, while Amanda Raber and Alex Kiess score 7 each! Catch all the second half action ��
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) November 29, 2018
��: Harrington Center
��: https://t.co/7liU8kMWGI
��: https://t.co/XolvftI9uU
#TigerUp pic.twitter.com/arI1eBu5Ea
�� @WittWBB falls to MSJ 68-63 - the Tigers now look ahead to opening up @NCAC action on Saturday, Dec. 1 when the Big Red of Denison University stop by for a 1:00 PM showdown! #TigerUp #PackThePam pic.twitter.com/AC1110eyVY
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) November 29, 2018
UP NEXT
Wittenberg will return home to open up North Coast Athletic Conference action when they