Tigers Open 2014 Season With Narrow Loss at Oberlin

OBERLIN, Ohio - For the first time in the last 50 meetings between the two teams, the Wittenberg Tigers found themselves on the wrong side of a final score against the Oberlin Yeomen in a 65-63 season-opening road defeat.

The historic decision was largely the handiwork of Oberlin sophomore Jack Poyle, who poured in 26 points to better his previous collegiate high by six. He finished the game 11-of-16 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, and he was the lone Yeomen player to reach double figures in the contest.

Poyle didn't, however, have the game-winning basket. That honor belonged to Nathan Cohen, who finished with a modest six points in the game. His lay-up and ensuing free throw with just 25 seconds left staked the Yeomen to their final margin of victory.

Wittenberg shot 45 percent from the field but made just 3-of-12 from three-point range in the game. Just as importantly, the Tigers made just 14-of-23 from the free throw line.

Oberlin responded by making 44 percent from the field and 62 percent from the charity stripe. Wittenberg held a six-rebound advantage in the final boxscore, but the Tigers were charged with five more turnovers.

Individually, three Tigers reached double figures on offense, led by freshman post Chad Roy (Toledo, Ohio/Holland Springfield) with 12 points. Sophomore post Brock Kiesler (Louisville, Ky./St. Xavier) added 11 points and sophomore point guard Cody Phillippi (Xenia, Ohio/Xenia) with 10 points. Phillippi also led Wittenberg in rebounding with seven, while Roy added six boards to go along with three blocked shots.

Written By: Ryan Maurer