Springfield, OH- The Tigers met Oberlin on the court for the seventy-third time in program history and with a 48-35 win over the Yeowomen, Wittenberg leads the series with only 14 losses since 1983. The win over Oberlin improve to an 11-4 record for the 2019-20 season and are on an eight game win streak.
The Tigers have now topped the programs past record of a seven game win streak in the 2014-15 season. That winning streak was the last time the Tigers won the NCAC tournament and earned an NCAA Tournament bid.
The first quarter gave Wittenberg a tough back and forth battle going into the second quarter tied at 11-11. Wittenberg was able to go on a six point streak to lead the first quarter but Oberlin's offense was able to stick with the fast paced Tigers. Kristie Kalis stepped up for the Tigers leading in points and out hustling the Yeowomen for rebounds in the first quarter, but a tough battle continued into the second quarter.
The second quarter remained a close game with the Yeowomen trailing by 5 going into the half but the Tigers added nine points to bring the score up to 20-15. Wittenberg led in FG% with 33.3%, a 100% in FT%, rebounds compared to the Yeowomen 17 rebounds and 5 steals going into the half.
Wittenberg's defense continued to step it up in the third quarter and limited Oberlin to four points for the entire quarter while putting up fifteen of their own to lead 35-19 going into the final quarter. Oberlin put up a physical fight but the Tigers matched it and made Oberlin work for the few points they had. The fourth quarter became more even matched, similar to the first quarter with Wittenberg putting up thirteen points, but the Tigers held onto their lead and defeated the Yeowomen with a thirteen point lead and score of 48-35. The Tigers ended the night leading in FG% with 32.7%, 30.8% in 3PT%, and 90.9% in FT%. Wittenberg out hustled Oberlin for 39 rebounds and ten fast break points.
Key Players: After being named the first NCAC player of the week for the decade, Kristie Kalis put up 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Delaney Williams led the Tigers in assists with 4.
NCAC Leaders: The Tigers have an impressive list of NCAC leaders, with all five starters leading in categories. Korynne Berner is currently leading the NCAC in FG% with 51.9%. Nora Hopkins is third in 3PT% with 37.5%. Riley Culver is in the top ten for total rebounds, landing in seventh with 92 rebounds on the season. Delaney Williams and Abigail Yunker are in the top ten for steals on the season with Williams sitting at fourth (36 steals) and Yunker in eighth (27 steals). Williams is pulling double duty and leading the NCAC in assists per game, averaging 3.1 per game to put her in fourth. Krisite Kalis joins Williams in assists, averaging 2.5 per game and putting her at ninth in the NCAC.
Up Next: The Tigers will be on the road for their next NCAC match-up against Wooster on Saturday, January 18th. Tip-off will be at 2:00 PM.