Springfield, OH- The Tigers returned to Pam Evans Smith Arena after their 85-68 win over Wilmington. The 7-4 Wittenberg team took on the Stevenson Mustangs in the Charles B. Zimmerman Championship game and improved their record to 8-4 after a 74-56 win.
Wittenberg offense took control in the first quarter, putting up 23 points and had fifteen points unanswered by the Mustangs. The Tigers were led by Riley Culver who put up eight points. Wittenberg defense held Stevenson to fifteen points and pressured the Mustangs into six turnovers.
The Tigers went into the half with a sixteen point lead over the Mustangs and a score of 41-25. Wittenberg lead in field goal percentage with 60.0% compared to Stevenson's 34.6% and free throw percentage of 80.3%. Tiger defense was able to cause 16 turnovers going into the half and create opportunities for fast break points.
The third quarter turned into an offensive frenzy with four Tigers climbing in points. Riley Culver continued to lead the pack with a total of twelve points, followed by Abigail Yunker and Kristie Kalis who got up to eleven, and Korynne Berner who ended the third quarter with ten points. The Tigers were able to put up a total of nineteen points to increase their lead by eighteen.
Wittenberg kept momentum in the fourth quarter to defeat the Mustangs 74-56 The Tigers were able to put up 14 points to end the fourth with a 52.5% in field goals, and 66.7% free throw percentage. The Tigers were able to pressure Mustangs into turnover trouble adding up to twenty-three turn overs, creating 17 fast break points for Wittenberg.
Key Players: Kalis led the Tigers in points for the night, putting up 16. Kalis, Yunker, and Delaney Williams were all able to tally 5 assists each and while Berner and Culver collected 7 rebounds each.
NCAC Leaders: Korynne Berner is currently third in the NCAC with a 51.5 FG%, Nora Hopkins is fourth in the NCAC for 3PT% with 40.6%, and Delaney Williams is fourth in the NCAC for steals, averaging 2.7 per game.
Up Next: Wittenberg will be back after the New Year to take on Hiram in Pam Evans Smith Arena. The Tigers will face off on January 3rd at 6 PM.