Defense Key As Tigers Take Down Allegheny 59-38
Wittenberg wins for third time in last four games behind outstanding defensive performance.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers allowed a season-low 38 points and pulled away for a much-needed North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) win over visiting Allegheny.
The win was Wittenberg's third in the last four games, and it moved the Tigers into a four-way tie for fifth place in the NCAC standings with a 4-6 record. Overall, Wittenberg improved to 6-11, heading into a huge week that includes road trips to Wabash and Denison. Allegheny dropped to 8-9 overall and 5-5 in the league.
The game was a defensive slugfest from the outset, with a lone Wittenberg field goal standing as the only points through the first four minutes. The two teams battled to an 11-11 draw over the first 15 minutes before the Tigers finally took control with a half-ending 13-2 run.
In the second half, Allegheny could get no closer than seven points as Wittenberg's offense started to click. The Tigers shot 48 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes.
For the game, Wittenberg shot 43 percent, including a 5-of-19 performance from three-point range. The Tigers won the rebounding battle 39-32 and limited their turnovers to just 11, compared to 16 for the Gators.
Individually, Wittenberg was paced by 11 points off the bench from freshman Chad Roy (Toledo, Ohio/Holland Springfield). He was joined in double figures by sophomore Jaelin Williams (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) with 10 points, to go along with six rebounds and three assists. In addition, sophomore Shane Edwards (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) contributed eight points and eight rebounds in 27 high-energy minutes.
Written By: Ryan Maurer