Springfield, OH- The Tigers returned to the court today for the first time in the New Year after two postponed games. Wittenberg was eager to get back into action in their fourth conference match-up of the season against the College of Wooster. The Tigers have had a winning record against the Fighting Scots with an 85.1% success rate since 1983 and their last win against Wooster being in the 2020-21 season. Wittenberg easily repeated history with an 84-46 win over the Fighting Scots.
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 52 points, 40 rebounds, and an overall shooting percentage of 48.4%. As a team, Wittenberg was able to control the game in field goals, three-points, free-throws, rebounds and, assists to pick up their eighth win of the 2021-22 season.
Energy was high for the first quarter, with the Red & White going back-and-forth with the Fighting Scots. Wittenberg's aggressiveness came out with 10 of their 17 points coming from fast breaks down the court. Leading the way for the Tigers was Kristie Kalis with seven points. The Red & White's bench kept the energy up as Wittenberg continued to outscore Wooster in the second quarter, with Abigail Yunker and Kalis taking over. Kalis had a combined 15 points while Yunker put up a combined 12 points in the first half of the game. With four to play in the second quarter, Wittenberg matched their first quarter in points to lead 34-19. The Tigers let threes fall in the first half with three different Wittenberg players going 7-12 for a 58.3% in three-points. The Tigers shooting gave them a strong 46-24 lead heading into the half.
Wittenberg quickly took a 30-point lead in the third quarter with Kalis adding six points to her total in the first four minutes of play off quick plays. Eight different Tigers were able to get on the board by the third, leading statistically in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and free throw percentage. Wittenberg kept the pace of play fast, stealing the ball of way from Wooster on multiple occasions and putting up 28 fast break points before the fourth quarter. The Red & White put 22 points up in the third quarter to more than double to score against Wooster 68-32 heading into the final quarter of play. Wittenberg's transition down the court continued to cause Wooster to stumble on defense in the fourth. Despite the Tigers putting up their lowest quarter they were still able to gain a 43-point lead with less than two in play. Wittenberg ended the fourth with a comfortable 84-46 win for their second conference win of the season.
Prior to tonight's match-up, Wittenberg has averaged 65.2 points per game, going 38.9% from the field, 28.5% in three-point percentage, and 68.5% from the line. Wittenberg was able to surpass their season average in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and surpass their season average for points. The Tigers went 43.2% from the field, 38.9% in three-points, and 63.6% from the line to improve their season average.
Wittenberg Leaders- The Tigers had eleven different individuals score, being led by Kristie Kalis offensively with 22 points, going 5-6 from the line, 7-15 in the field, and 3-7 in three points. Following in points on the night was Abigail Yunker with 12. Defensively, Jade Simpson led the way in rebounds, picking up six offensive and ten defensive rebounds.
NCAC Leaders- Five Tigers continue to sit in the top ten in the NCAC for statistics. Abigail Yunker sits at number six for points in the NCAC with 168. Just outside the top ten is Kalis with 146 points. Yunker also sits in the top ten in the conference for field goal percentage at number nine with a season average of 45.5%. Kalis and Yunker are in the top ten for three-points made this season with Kalis leading the way at number three, while Yunker sits at nine. For three-point percentage Yunker lands at number one in the conference with 47.2% while Kelsey Ragan lands at number six with 37.9%. Yunker also lands at number one for free-throw percentage, being put on the line 36 times this season for an average of 86.1%. On the ball control side, Jade Simpson lands at number four in the conference for rebounds with 108; 70 being defensive and 38 being offensive. Delaney Williams sits at number two for assists on the season with 51 and number ten in steals with 23 on the season. Joining in on ball control is Kalis at number six in blocks with nine. (All NCAC Statistics are based prior to today's match-up. For complete NCAC statistical leaders go to https://www.northcoast.org/sports/wbkb/2021-22/leaders)
Up Next- Wittenberg will return to action on January 19th against Ohio Wesleyan on the road. Tip-off is set for 6PM.