Wittenberg upends Ohio Wesleyan in battle of NCAC unbeatens

DELAWARE, Ohio - The Wittenberg University Tigers got the job done again on Wednesday night, using a balanced scoring attack and 53 percent shooting from the field to oust fellow North Coast Athletic Conference unbeaten Ohio Wesleyan University, 73-64. The win was a key one for the Tigers, who remain in a first place tie with the College of Wooster at 5-0 in the NCAC, while OWU dropped to 4-1.

Wittenberg put three players in double figures in scoring, led by senior center B.J. Harris (Riverside, Ohio/Stebbins) and 14 points and 11 rebounds, his first double-double of the season after posting seven last year. Sophomore guard Kenny Molz (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) dropped in a career-high 12 points off the bench for the Tigers, while senior forward Kevin Longley (Vandalia, Ohio/Butler) chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds.

Wittenberg fought through a tight first half to take a 32-26 halftime lead and slowly expanded on that advantage in the final 20 minutes. Thirty-nine of Ohio Wesleyan's points were scored by two players, while Wittenberg spread things out to nine players with at least five points. The Tigers won the rebounding battle by a 40-35 count and hit 28 of their 53 shots in the game. A problem area continues to be free throw shooting as Wittenberg managed just 12-of-22 from the charity stripe.

The Tigers, who are now 10-3 overall and landed in 29th position in the latest d3hoops.com poll, hit the road again on Saturday for a game at Denison at 5 p.m. before returning home for a crucial NCAC match-up opposite Wabash College on Jan. 22, part of a doubleheader with the women's team.