Springfield, OH- The 17-6 Tigers met with OWU for the second time this season, this time on more familiar grounds. The Tigers held their Play-4-Kay Cancer Awareness game where they honored late coach Pam Evans Smith by leaving a single seat open on the bench before going head-to-head with the Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan. Earlier in the season, Wittenberg fell in a heartbreaking overtime loss of 75-73 and would look for revenge and a home win. Tonight's match-up did not let history repeat itself as the Tigers took down the Bishops with a score of 64-43.
The Tigers took an early lead in the first quarter, putting up 14 points over the Bishops. Tiger defense was able to slow down Ohio Wesleyans offense and shut down the Bishops top shooters. OWU was only able to put eight points on the board heading into the second quarter. The Tigers out shot OWU in FG% with 43.8% compared to the Bishops 27.3% to give them confidence heading into the second quarter.
The Tigers continued to keep their lead in the second quarter, making four unanswered baskets to take a 22-15 lead over the Bishops. The Tigers extended the lead to 31-19 in the last minutes of the second quarter to go into the locker room with a 12-point lead.
Wittenberg came out of the locker room with a fire lit and determination to keep their lead over Ohio Wesleyan. The Tigers continued to play fast paced and rattle the Bishops who were only able to shoot 33.3% in FG% compared to the Tigers 40%. Tigers were able to make 5 of their 8 baskets from assists. Wittenberg was able to put 17 more points on the board to take a 48-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
A chippy fourth quarter didn't get in the way of Wittenberg from keeping their lead and taking down the Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan. The Tigers took their biggest lead of the game with 22 points over OWU with time left to play and then topped that with a 28-point lead over the Bishops. Wittenberg was able to take down Ohio Wesleyan with a score of 64-43, shooting for 43.1% in field goals and 85.7% in free throws and picked up 37 rebounds and 13 assists.
Prior to tonight's match-up, Head Coach Kelly Mahlum said "last time we met OWU things didn't go our way… it was a big learning curve for us and breaking down film that helped us in other games." Wittenberg made it evident in the fourth quarter that they took lessons from earlier in the season and are not finished yet.
Key Players: Tigers were led by junior, Delaney Williams, with six assists and 14 points. Kristie Kalis gave the Tigers possession with 10 rebounds, eight of which being defensive rebounds.
From The Bench
Up Next: The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday, February 15th to celebrate the women's three seniors at 2 PM in Pam Evans Smith Arena.