SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers took their best shots at one of the top-ranked in NCAA Division III (based on preseason polls), but they still came up on the short end of a 79-75 score in their 2007 home opener.
As a result, the Tigers dropped to 1-2 on the young season, heading into an eight-day lay-off. It doesn't get any easier for Wittenberg, however, as perennial powerhouse Ohio Northern comes calling to the HPER Center on Nov. 28. Capital, ranked 10th by d3hoops.com, improved to 2-1 and avenged three straight losses to Wittenberg.
The two teams battled through a foul-plagued first half before two free throws by senior wing Brandan Barabino (Toledo, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit) pulled the Tigers to within 35-31 at the halftime horn. Barabino knocked down a three-pointer at the 17:58 mark of the second half to pull the Tigers within one point before the Crusaders finally started flexing their considerable interior muscle. A 25-10 run over the next 10 minutes, primarily featuring a variety of low-post shots and put-backs, gave Capital a seemingly secure 65-49 lead.
After a technical foul call on Capital, the Tigers responded with a 12-3 run to get back in the game and they eventually whittled the margin down to 73-70 on a three-pointer by junior wing Kevin Murray (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) with 2:13 remaining. Exactly one minute later, Murray had another open look, but this time the three-pointer caromed off the rim and the Tigers committed a foul on the rebound. Despite Murray's fifth trey of the night with three seconds left on the clock, the Crusaders held on for the four-point win.
Murray had the biggest game of his collegiate career, pouring in 22 points in 24 minutes off the bench. He added five rebounds and did not commit a turnover as he bettered his previous career high of 17 points, recorded last year against Haverford in the second game of the season. Barabino added 17 points despite foul problems that limited him to 24 minutes, and junior guard Gregg Hill (Farmington Hills, Mich./Redford Union) added nine points - 15 below his early-season scoring average.
Capital put four players in double figures en route to a 51 percent shooting night. Steve Kyser led the way with 17 points and he added a team-best seven rebounds as the Crusaders won the all-important battle of the boards 40-30.