Tigers Pounce On Denison To Extend Regular Season Conference Win Streak To 23
Coming off a game in which the Tigers struggled to keep their focus down the stretch and nearly lost to Ohio Wesleyan, Wittenberg came out strong and buried Denison 100-69. The win was Wittenberg's 23rd consecutive in regular season NCAC action, dating back to Dec. 6, 2000 at Ohio Wesleyan.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Coming off a game in which the Tigers struggled to keep their focus down the stretch and nearly lost to Ohio Wesleyan, Wittenberg came out strong and buried Denison 100-69. The win was Wittenberg's 23rd consecutive in regular season NCAC action, dating back to Dec. 6, 2000 at Ohio Wesleyan.
Wittenberg was in control from the outset, breaking a 2-2 tie in the opening minute by scoring 28 straight points. From that point, the Tigers had it on cruise control in defeating Denison for the 56th time in the last 57 games. The Big Red hasn't won in Springfield since 1954.
The Tigers shot a sizzling 71.4 percent in the first half, including 8-for-10 from three-point range. For the game, Wittenberg shot 61.8 percent from the field, 62.5 percent from three-point range and 78.6 percent from the free throw line.
Leading the statistical charge for Wittenberg was junior forward B.J. Harris, who hit for 15 points and grabbed five rebounds. Joining him in double figures were senior guard Greg Rustad with 13 points, sophomore guard Rod Emmons with 12 points, sophomore forward Van Richardson with a career-high 12 points and sophomore forward Peter Walker with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
The win improved Wittenberg to 15-2 overall and 8-0 in the NCAC, while Denison dropped to 3-14 overall and 3-5 in the NCAC. Next up for the Tigers is key road game against Wabash at 7:30 p.m. (CST) on Wednesday, Jan. 23. All games can be heard on WBLY 1600 AM in Springfield or via the Internet on Wittenberg's Web site.