Tigers Pull Away From Earlham For Key NCAC Win
Officially hitting the homestretch of the 2008-09 season, the Wittenberg Tigers jumped out to an early lead and held on for a very important 84-70 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) victory over host Earlham.
Kevin Murray
RICHMOND, Ind. - Officially hitting the homestretch of the 2008-09 season, the Wittenberg Tigers jumped out to an early lead and held on for a very important 84-70 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) victory over host Earlham.
The Tigers kept pace in a jumbled NCAC regular season title chase with the win as they moved back above .500 at 10-9 overall and, more importantly, 7-4 in the conference, two games behind tri-leaders Ohio Wesleyan, Hiram and Wooster and tied for fourth place with Kenyon. Earlham is part of a three-way tie for seventh place at 3-8 in the NCAC to go along with a 3-17 overall record.
Wittenberg scored the first six points in the game and never trailed, but that doesn't mean the Tigers were able to rest easy in the closing minutes. Earlham, with an offense that features the NCAC's leading scorer in Tristian Gregory, charged back from a 27-point deficit midway through the second half to get as close as 12 points on two occasions in the final 1:25. The key was a 41-26 rebounding advantage Wittenberg enjoyed, including 15 offensive rebounds that led to a 16-5 edge in second-chance points for the Tigers.
Gregory's 26 points on the evening were matched by Wittenberg senior wing Kevin Murray (Carmel, Ind./Carmel), who hit 9-of-15 shots from the field, including 4-of-9 from three-point range. He also finished with seven rebounds in the game.
Murray's strong offensive play keyed the Tigers' 53 percent shooting effort. Joining him in double figures was junior post Mark Snyder (Celina, Ohio/Riverside) with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists, while freshman Michael Cooper (Springfield, Ohio/South) added eight points and a game-high nine rebounds.
The Tigers make the long trip to Allegheny on Saturday, feb. 7, facing what can only be described as a must-win situation. Tip time from Meadville is scheduled for 2 p.m.