Top-Seeded Tigers Rally Past Kenyon Into NCAC Tournament Semis

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Perhaps surprised to find themselves trailing by seven points early in the second half, the Wittenberg Tigers awoke just in time to secure a 73-61 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament quarterfinal victory over Kenyon.

The top-seeded Tigers, ranked 17th nationally, improved to 21-5 overall after winning the NCAC regular season championship with a 14-2 record. The Lords, who came in as one of only two NCAC teams with a winning conference tournament record against Wittenberg, saw their season end with records of 11-15 overall and 5-11 in the NCAC. Wittenberg and Kenyon have now split six all-time NCAC Tournament meetings.

Unlike the last tournament meeting between the two teams, a 65-60 Kenyon upset on Wittenberg's home floor in 2009, the Tigers took control of this game over the final 15 minutes. Until then, however, the Lords held the upper hand, thanks to a physical defensive performance and three straight three-pointers to open the second half that staked Kenyon to a 38-31 lead.

The Tigers strung seven points together a few moments later to tie the game, but it still took several possessions for Wittenberg to take the lead for good. Trailing 47-45 after Kenyon's Brian Lebowitz hit a jumper at the 9:37 mark, Wittenberg reeled off 10 straight points, the last six coming from senior Josh McKee (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh).

After shooting eight free throws in the first half, the Tigers were awarded 29 shots from the charity stripe in the second half, and that proved to be the difference. Kenyon actually outscored Wittenberg from the field, making three more field goals, but the Tigers finished 30-of-37 from the free throw line, compared to 12-of-20 for the Lords.

Senior Clayton Black (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster), who poured in a career-best 38 points in an eight-point win over Kenyon during the regular season, was again the man of the night as he finished with a tremendous all-around stats line of 21 points, six rebounds, six blocked shots and five assists. He led four Tigers in double figures as the Tiger bench outscored Kenyon 24-6.

Sophomore Zack Leahy (Rossford, Ohio/Rossford) added 16 points off the bench, including a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range, and McKee finished with 12 points. Senior Michael Cooper (Springfield, Ohio/South) added a quiet double-double, chipping in 10 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four assists.

Wittenberg now earns the right to host the NCAC Tournament for the first time since 2004. The Tigers will host fifth-seeded Denison at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the tourney's other semifinal match-up between second-seeded Wooster and third-seeded Ohio Wesleyan.