Becca Ziska came up big from behind the three-point line all day for the Tigers. File Photo|Nick Falzerano
Posted: Dec 12, 2015
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio-- The Tigers got off to a sluggish start offensively, but were able to lean on their defense to get things moving Saturday afternoon. Wittenberg defeated the Denison Big Red 50-40 behind a relentless defense and a clutch offensive performance.
The Tigers found themselves on a 19-4 run in the second-half, thanks to their ability to capatilize on 24 Big Red turnovers.
Becca Ziska (Brook Park, Ohio/Berea-Midpark) lead the way for the Tigers with 14 points, nailing three clutch three-pointers, as well as finding her way into the paint late in the second-half.
GAME BREAKDOWN
- Denison took a 22-15 lead into half-time behind 26 rebounds and four three-pointers.
- Taylore Bundy (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) and Ziska combined for 11 of Wittenberg's 15 first-half points.
- Fresh into the game in the second-half, Teddi Tankersley (Springfield, Ohio/Greenon) nailed a three-pointer to give the Tigers a 31-29 lead with 3:30 remaining in the third-quarter.
- The lead for the Tigers grew to as many as 11 down the stretch, as Wittenberg's defense did not budge, forcing turnover after turnover, resulting into a 19-4 run for the offense.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Despite being out-rebounded, the Tigers took advantage of 24 Big Red turnovers, turning those chances into 15 points.
- The Tigers defense finished the game with six blocks and 14 steals.
- Wittenberg outshot Denison with a 33.9 shooting-percentage from the field, coming alive down the stretch on their 19-4 run.
KEY STATS
- Madison Linn (Piqua, Ohio/Miami East), Riley McDonald (Dexter, Michigan/Dexter), and Ziska all tallied three steals for the Tigers in the victory.
- Wittenberg outscored the Big Red in the paint, 20-8.
- The Tigers move to 2-0 in NCAC play.
FROM THE BENCH
- "We played awesome defense... We told them at half, if you keep playing this great defense, it's going to lead to great offense," head coach Sarah Jurewicz said. "We kept the optimism high and we fed off of each other, while our confidence blossomed in the second-half, especially when we got that offensive swing."
UP NEXT
- Wittenberg returns to action at home Monday, December 28 at 4:30p.m. against Baldwin Wallace University, tipping off the 2015 Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Classic.
Written By: Kuris Duggan