Springfield, OH- Wittenberg returned home after the Thanksgiving break for their first conference match-up of the 2021-22 season. The Tigers took on the Yeowomen of Oberlin College. The last time the two saw each other in competition was during the 2019-20 season in the NCAC Quarterfinal game where Wittenberg was able to advance after a 46-46 win. Wittenberg dominates the 75-game series with 60 wins over the Yeowomen in program history. However, a new 5-0 Oberlin team proved to be a challenge for the Tigers who fell with a score of 68-53.
The Tigers were led by Delaney Williams, Abigail Yunker, Kristie Kalis, Jade Simpson, and Kelsey Ragan stepped on the court once again as Wittenberg's starting five.
In the first quarter, the Tigers were most successful when put on the line with five of six free throws made, Jade Simpson going 4-4. Simpson led the way offensively for the Tigers in the first half, putting up eight points. Right behind in points were Williams and Yunker with five each. Williams had three assists which led to two points for Autumn Crockett and four-points in the second quarter for Yunker. The Tigers controlled the game in the first quarter with fourteen points but kept a tight one-point lead heading into the second quarter. The second quarter allowed only eight points for the Red & White compared to fast paced Yeowomen's 20 points, and Wittenberg headed into the locker room down 33-22. Wittenberg grabbed 17 rebounds in the first half with 12 of them being defensive rebounds and three which led to eight points scored off of fast breaks.
In the third quarter, Wittenberg saw an aggressive Oberlin offense who challenged the Tiger defense. With under three to play in the third quarter Oberlin led 51-21 but freshman, Autumn Crockett was able to make aggressive plays and climb in the statistics with a six-points and four rebounds in three quarters of play to keep the Tigers within 19 and end the third quarter 55-36.
The starting five stepped back out on the court to start the fourth quarter with Kalis immediately putting three on the board for the Red & White, followed by Simpson with two to bring the Tigers within 15. Minutes later, Simpson added two more points for Wittenberg from the line making her accuracy 6-6 on the game. Another three from Kalis brought the score to 67-45 with the Tigers trailing and under four to play. Wittenberg put up 17 points in the fourth quarter but ultimately fell in their first conference match-up with a score of 68-53.
Wittenberg Leaders- Jade Simpson led the Tigers with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and one assists. Just behind in points was Krisite Kalis with 11 and Autumn Crockett with 10. Kalis also grabbed four rebounds while Crockett picked up five. Jade Simpson led the Tigers in rebounds with up with her 12. Delaney Williams led the Tigers with four assists which led to eight points.
NCAC Leaders- Abigail Yunker sits at number five in the conference for points on the season with a total of 65. Just behind Yunker in NCAC points leaders is Krisite Kalis at number seven with 60. Yunker and Kalis also land in the top ten for field goals made, both tied at number six. Jade Simpson sits at number five in the conference for field goal percentage with a season average of 52.9. Also, in the top ten for field goal percentage is Kelsey Ragan with 48.3%. Kalis, Yunker, and Ragan are all in the top five for three-points made this season with Kalis leading the way at number two, while Yunker and Ragan sit at one and two for three-point percentage in the conference. Yunker also lands in the top ten for free throws made, being put on the line for an attempt of 15 on the season and 12 made for an 80% accuracy. Defensively, Jade Simpson leads at number five in the conference for rebounds with 38, 24 being defensive and 14 being offensive. Delaney Williams sits at number two for assists on the season with 23 and number eight for steals with nine. (All NCAC Statistics are based prior to today's match-up)
Up Next- The Tigers will be back in action on Tuesday for a home match-up against Capital at 6PM.