Gambier, OH- Wittenberg returned to action in Gambier for their second conference match-up of the season. The Tigers took on the Ladies of Kenyon College. After facing a close loss last night, Wittenberg looked for redemption on the court. After extending their lead to 19 and holding their largest lead for eight minutes, the Tigers picked up their first conference win with a 59-51 score.
The Tigers were led by Delaney Williams, Abigail Yunker, Kristie Kalis, Jade Simpson, and Kelsey Ragan on the court as Wittenberg's starting five. The starting line-up accumulated a total of 44 points, 15 rebounds, and an overall shooting percentage of 44.2%.
Kelsey Ragan put the first point on the board for Wittenberg with an assist from Jade Simpson and the Tigers quickly took the lead in the first quarter. With a layup from Lauren Legate, Wittenberg took a 22-10 lead with less than two to play in the first. The Tigers were able to put up two more points to head into the second quarter with a 24-10 score. The Ladies of Kenyon were shut-down on offense for two more minutes in the second quarter but the Tigers kept their lead and extended it to a fifteen-point difference. A lay-up from Lauren Legate gave Wittenberg their largest lead of the game with a score of 31-12 and 8 minutes left to play in the second. Kenyon was able to come back and lessen Wittenberg's lead to head into halftime but the Tigers continued to lead 35-25 going into the locker room.
Senior, Kristie Kalis picked up her 12th point of the game in the third quarter and kept Wittenberg ahead by ten with 6:32 left to play. Kalis then put up two more points off of a fast break after grabbing a steal and a free throw to give the Red & White a 15-point lead. The Tigers put up two more points in the third for a 50-38 score going into the fourth quarter. Wittenberg had their slowest quarter in the fourth, only putting up nine points from Kalis, Simpson, and Williams. Wittenberg ended the fourth with an eight-point lead and a 59-51 score to take their first conference win of the season. Wittenberg now stands 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Wittenberg Leaders- The Tigers were led by Kristie Kalis offensively with 19 points, going 1-1 from the line, 8-15 in the field, and 2-8 in three points. Following in points on the night were Delaney Williams with 11 and Abigail Yunker with 8 points. Yunker also picked up four assists which led to 11 points for the Tigers. Kelsey Ragan led the way for Wittenberg in rebounds with five defensive and two offensive rebounds.
NCAC Leaders- Abigail Yunker is tied at number seven in the conference for points on the season with a total of 84. Just outside the top ten for points Krisite Kalis at number 11 with 76. Jade Simpson sits at number nine in the conference for field goal percentage with a season average of 47.3%. Kalis, Yunker, and Ragan are all in the top ten for three-points made this season with Kalis leading the way at number three, while Ragan and Yunker sit at four and nine. For three-point percentage Yunker leads the conference with 52.9% while Ragan lands at number four with 43.5%. Yunker also lands in the top ten for free throws made, being put on the line for an attempt of 27 on the season and 15 made for an 77.3% accuracy. Defensively, Jade Simpson leads at number two in the conference for rebounds with 64; 44 being defensive and 18 being offensive. Delaney Williams sits at number one for assists on the season with 28 and number four for steals with 14. (All NCAC Statistics are based prior to tonight's match-up)
Up Next- The Tigers will be on the road for their next match-up. They will take on the Tigers of DePauw on the 8th at 7PM.