Springfield, OH – The Wittenberg Tiger men's basketball defeated the Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan University, 71-67, in their final midweek game from Pam Evans Smith Arena. The Tigers were led by senior Landon Martin with a career-high 30 points, knocking down 10 of 14 from the floor and 9 of 10 from the foul line. In the tight back-and-forth battle, Wittenberg maintained a slight 31-27 advantage at the half, shooting nearly 41 percent from the floor, while holding the Bishops to just 10 of 30 from the field. The four-point margin would prove pivotal down the stretch, as each team posted 40 points apiece in the second half and shooting the ball better than 40 percent from the floor. It was a battle in the paint where Wittenberg came away with the advantage, outscoring the Bishops 34-24.

The Tigers held a 10-9 advantage at the 15:20 mark of the first half, coming off the Daniel Asher bucket. Martin extended the Tiger lead to 22-17 at 7:53 in the first, cutting through the Bishop defense for the score. Martin took the Wittenberg lead to six at 31-25 with three minutes remaining in the first half, scoring his final bucket of the half. At the break, Martin tallied 10 points with four rebounds and one assist.

The Bishops would battle back to make things interesting in the second half, knotting things up at 41-41 with 13:31 left in regulation. Keeping within striking distance down the stretch, the Tiger defense was able to grab a six-point advantage, when Ridge Young knocked down three free-throws on the shooting foul. Martin would end up with the ball in his hands down the stretch, posting the final four scores for the Tiger offense.

NCAC LEADERS

Young leads the North Coast Athletic Conference in three-point shooting percentage at 52.1 with Tolliver holding down the third spot at 47.4. Tolliver and Young also land at third and fourth in the NCAC for field goal shooting percentage.

UP NEXT

Wittenberg will return to action on Saturday, February 19 from Pam Evans Smith Arena, hosting the College of Wooster Fighting Scots. Tip-Off is set for 7:00 PM.