Tigers Fall to #14 Ohio Wesleyan After Hot Start

SPRINGFIELD, OH-The Tigers took on #14 Ohio Wesleyan at Pam Evans Smith Arena for their Breast Cancer Awareness and Alumni Game. After a close first half of basketball, Ohio Wesleyan pulled away and ended up claiming the win, 69-56. The Tigers' record moves to 14-7 (6-4 NCAC) while the Battling Bishops improved to 19-2 (10-0 NCAC) by winning their 12th straight game and sweeping the season series against Wittenberg.

Wittenberg held a four-point lead at halftime behind nine points from Karsen Karlblom (Crystal Lake, IL / Prairie Ridge), all on three-pointers, and another nine from Riane Burton (Houston, TX / Cypress Ranch). The lead quickly evaporated, however as the Tigers were held to only five points in the third quarter. With Wittenberg trailing by nine going into the fourth quarter, the Tigers were unable to claw their way back as Ohio Wesleyan made the winning plays down the stretch to secure the 69-56 win, thanks in large part to 27 points from All-American Kasey Schipfer.

Team Leaders

• Karlblom and Burton both scored 15 points to lead the team. They were the only two players for Wittenberg in double figures.
• Jazmyn Gaines-Burns (Bladensburg, MD / Elizabeth Seton) led the team with eight rebounds and Karlbom logged three to finish second on the team.
• Taryn Cash (Cincinnati, OH / Princeton) was tied for the game lead in assists with six and Gaines-Burns finished with three.
• Burton, McKenna Baker (Brownsburg, IN / Bethesda Christian) and Payton Cronen (Louisville, KY / Assumption) each finished with two steals apiece.

Team Comparison

• Both teams finished the games with 15 turnovers.
• Wittenberg scored 10 bench points compared to only three from Ohio Wesleyan.
• Wittenberg was close in assists, with 14 to the Battling Bishops 16 and logged 13 points off turnovers to Ohio Wesleyan's 15.

The Tigers' next game is Wednesday, February 12th against DePauw at home with tip-off at 5:30 with a men's game following.