Tigers Rally Past Denison By Single Point

After trailing by nine points in the first half, Wittenberg battled back to claim a hard-fought NCAC road victory over the Big Red.

Ben Syroka and his Tiger teammates shot 55.1 percent to narrowly defeat Denison. File Photo | Erin Pence
Ben Syroka and his Tiger teammates shot 55.1 percent to narrowly defeat Denison. File Photo | Erin Pence
January 12, 2013
Box Score

GRANVILLE, Ohio – Life on the road in conference play is never easy. Just ask the Wittenberg Tigers.

The Tigers were pushed to the brink by North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Denison before pulling out a 79-78 victory over the Big Red. Wittenberg, which improved to 11-4 overall and 4-2 in the NCAC, was forced to rally from a nine-point first-half deficit against Denison, which fell to 4-11 overall and 2-4 in the conference.

After holding the lead only briefly over the opening 20 minutes, the Tigers battled back from a 39-33 halftime disadvantage to trade the lead back and forth. An eight-point run midway through the frame proved decisive as Wittenberg turned a 57-55 Denison lead into a six-point advantage, capped by a three-pointer by sophomore Zack Leahy (Rossford, Ohio/Rossford) with 7:32 remaining.

From there, Denison repeatedly cut the lead down to two points in the closing moments, but the Tigers did just enough from the free throw line over the final 18 seconds to secure the victory, making 4-of-6. The last two free throws were made by junior Scott Masin (New Carlisle, Ohio/Bethel) with two seconds remaining to cap his 21-point performance that led both teams.

Denison, which got a three-pointer just before the final horn sounded to make the final margin just one point, put six players in double figures and shot 51.7 percent from the field. Wittenberg shot 55.1 percent from the field and put three players in double figures, with Leahy adding 18 points and freshman Alex Fultz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Glen Este) contributing a career-high 13.

Wittenberg returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 16, with a difficult NCAC road trip at Wabash, before returning home for a date with Hiram on Saturday, Jan. 19.