Richmond, IN – The Wittenberg Women's Basketball team cruised to a 56-38 season-opening road win over Earlham College. The Tigers jumped out to a 21-7 lead after the first quarter of action, keeping their foot on the for the duration, holding the Quakers to single-digits in each of the first two quarters of action. Wittenberg jumped out of the gate early, putting together their largest scoring run of 15-points on the night with over two-minutes left in the first-quarter. Taking a 31-13 lead into the break, Wittenberg was shooting better 35 percent from the floor. This win is the first for newly minted head coach and Wittenberg alumnus Melissa Kolbe. Kolbe took charge of the Tiger program in May, making her the 11th Head Women's Basketball Coach in program history.
Wittenberg distributed the scoring evenly, led by Jade Simpson with nine points and 15 rebounds. Tiger newcomer, Molly Scott added nine points off the bench, knocking down 3 of 4 from the field. Jazmyn Gaines-Burns tallied eight points with six rebounds, adding two assists in her debut with the Tigers. Rachel Hartman posted seven points with two rebounds and a blocked shot on the night. Evie Wolshire tallied 10 rebounds with three steals to go along with her six points. Haley Scott added 11 rebounds with four points.
Wittenberg led in nearly all major categories on the night. With 27 points coming from the Tiger bench. Wittenberg dominated inside, scoring 28 points to Earlham's 12 in the paint. As a team, the Tigers knocked down 21 of 60 from the floor, with Jaida Malone knocking down the lone three-point shot on the night.
UP NEXT
Wittenberg will return to action on Friday, November 11, traveling to Franklin College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm.