Tigers Outlast Student Princes in 85-81 Victory

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—Wittenberg men's hoops improved to 9-0 on the year after returning to the court for the first time in 11 days. Coming off a 30-point drubbing of Denison, the Tigers traveled to Heidelberg for a non-conference tilt. While the Tigers did all they could to shake the cobwebs off in the first half, Wittenberg trailed 49-38 at the break. The second half was all Wittenberg, as the Tigers unloaded for 51 points in the final frame of play, securing the road-win; 89-85.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Heidelberg led by as many as 14 early in the first half, as the Tigers and Student Princes both shot over 50% from the floor in the first 20 minutes. Trailing 49-38 at the break, Wittenberg came out of the locker-room on a mission. Jordan Pumroy cut Heidelberg's lead to two at 51-49 with a three-pointer with 16:41 remaining in regulation. The Tigers regained the lead at 54-53 after a Chad Roy jumper found the bottom of the net with 15:17 remaining, erasing the 11-point halftime deficit.  With the game knotted up at 60-60, Heidelberg would go up 63-60, before a Roy and-one layup would see the two Ohio schools tied again at 65-65. Wittenberg would eventually pull away at 78-71 after a Mitchell Balser jumper, but the Student Princes came roaring back as the Tigers held on to an 85-81 lead with under a minute to play. Knocking down their free-throws in the final minute, Wittenberg escaped with an 89-85 victory.

WHO STOOD OUT: Four of the Tiger's five starters ended up scoring double-digits in the win, as Balser and Roy finished the contest with 20 points each. Jacob Bertemes and Connor Seipel also chipped in 15 points in starting roles. Bertemes also chipped in four steals in the win, while dishing out four assists and pulling down two boards.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:  Wittenberg shot a scorching 57% from the floor as a team, including connecting on five of their 14 attempts from three-point range. Despite being outrebounded in the game, the Tigers managed to outscore Heidelberg 46-32 in the paint. Wittenberg also notched 16 point off 13 Student Prince turnovers in a game that saw 24 total turnovers. In the second half, Wittenberg shot over 60% from the floor on their way to 51 second half points.

UP NEXT: Wittenberg returns to action on December 29 and 30 for the 2017 Kiwanis Holiday Classic.

.@WittenbergHoops comes back and then hangs on to win the battle of the Bergs! #TigerUp ! pic.twitter.com/ZLTzVM4nso

— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) December 20, 2017

The Great Lakes Power Poll #1 moves to 9-0 with a big second half comeback in Tiffin. @WittenbergHoops moves to 9-0. #d3h https://t.co/7Zo0l4fuGL

— Ryan Whitnable (@OACBBallShow) December 20, 2017

.@WittenbergHoops check-in with @mattcroci. Tigers are back in action on Dec. 20 at Heidelberg. #TIgerUp https://t.co/YpahefBRQR

— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) December 15, 2017