Springfield, OH- Wittenberg stepped out on their home court tonight in the NCAC Quarterfinal match-up with the #5 ranked Denison Big Red. The Tigers who were the number four seed heading into the tournament saw the Big Red once this season and were able to defeat them with a 54-46 score. The Red & White were able to take them down in a similar fashion tonight with a final score of 56-44 to move on in the tournament.
The Tigers were led by Taryn Cash, Delaney Williams, Abigail Yunker, Kristie Kalis, Jade Simpson on the court as Wittenberg's starting five. The starting line-up accumulated a total of 35 points, 25 rebounds, and an overall shooting percentage of 35.4%. As a team, Wittenberg was 37.3% in field goals, 28.6% in three points, and 66.7% from the line.
The Tigers led in scoring in three quarters of play and were able to lead statistically in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free throw percentage, assists, and fast break points. While leading in scoring power, Wittenberg was also able to capitalize on Denison mistakes with 18 points coming from turnovers.
Kristie Kalis led in the first quarter with 10 points to help the Red & White take a 16-13 lead heading into the second quarter of play. Abigail Yunker and Kylee Slone stepped up in the second quarter with a combined 11 points. Wittenberg put up their highest scoring quarter in the second to head into the locker room with a 33-15 lead, only allowing two points to get on the board for the Big Red. The second half of play led to 23 points for Wittenberg with Kalis, Cash, Yunker, Sam Wyatt, and Lauren Legate all getting on the board in the third quarter. Kalis and Semie Brar put points on the board in the fourth quarter for the Tigers to take a 44-56 win over the Big Red.
Wittenberg Leaders- The Tigers had ten different individuals score, being led by Kristie Kalis with 16 points. Delaney Williams led the Red & White in assists with five on the night, and defensively led the way with nine rebounds.
NCAC Leaders- Five Tigers continue to sit in the top ten in the NCAC for statistics. Kristie Kalis sits at number nine in the conference for points this season with 311 after to today's match-up. Kalis also lands in the top ten for field goals made this season with 110. Jade Simpson leads the Tigers at number seven in the NCAC for field goal percentage at 48%, going 97-202. Kalis continues to lead the way in three points made at number four with 49 shots being made while Yunker sits just outside at number 12 with 27. Yunker does come in tied at number two in the conference for three-point percentage with an average of 40.9%. Just behind in three-point percentage is Kelsey Ragan at number eight with a 34.0% average. Going 46-55, Yunker lands at number two for field goal percentage with an 81.4% success rate. On the ball control side, Jade Simpson lands at number four in the conference for rebounds with 204; 132 being defensive and 72 being offensive. Delaney Williams sits at number three for assists on the season with 99 and number six in steals with 43 on the season. Joining in on ball control is Kalis at number ten for steals with 39 on the season and number four in blocks with 32. (For complete NCAC statistical leaders go to https://www.northcoast.org/sports/wbkb/2021-22/leaders)
Up Next- Wittenberg be on the road for their next match-up in the tournament. The Tigers will take on the number one seed, DePauw on February 25th.