Men's Hoops Moves to 4-0 with 80-71 Win at Otterbein

WESTERVILLE, Ohio—Wittenberg men's basketball improved to 4-0 with a victory over Otterbein on Sunday afternoon; 80-71. The Tigers conclude the NCAC/OAC Challenge with a 2-0 record after the Tigers defeated Capital before Thanksgiving. Otterbein hung with the Tigers in the first half, but the Tigers size in the front court proved to be too much for the youthful Cardinal roster to handle. Wittenberg's 4-0 start sends the red and white back to Springfield with NCAC conference play on the horizon. The Tigers open conference play on November 29 at 8:00PM against the Yeomen of Oberlin.

HOW IT HAPPENED: James Johnson scored three of his career high 19 points with 7:38 remaining in the first half, as the freshman splashed home a triple to give the Tigers a 30-21 lead. Otterbein would claw back and trail the Tigers 32-28 before Wittenberg was able to pull away and take a lead into the locker-room at the break; 39-35. The Cardinals would cut into the Tigers lead and get as close as down three, as the Tigers distanced themselves from their OAC foe. Wittenberg's lead ballooned back up to eight, as Chad Roy recorded two of his 20 points on a layup off a Landon Martin assist with 11:59 remaining gin the game. Roy would connect on another bucket in the low-post with 6:47 remaining, as the Tigers led 63-57. Connor Seipel came up big time and time again for Wittenberg on Sunday, as the sophomore hit a jumper down the stretch for the Tigers, extending their lead to 70-62. The hero from Tuesday night's win put the finishing touches on this game as well, as Jacob Bertemes cashed in on two free throws with seconds remaining, giving the Tigers the game at 80-71.

WHO STOOD OUT: Roy (20), Johnson (19), Seipel (14), and Bertemes (10) served as the Tigers double-digit scorers on Sunday, as the combination of Roy and Johnson turned in 39 points and 10 boards.  Seipel turned in seven rebounds on Sunday, as both he and Roy combined for five offensive rebounds. Bertemes and Martin kept the Tigers offense firing on all cylinders, dishing out three assists each.

BEHIND THE NUMBERS: Leading by as many as 11 on Sunday, Wittenberg shot a touch under 56% as a team at Westerville. The Tigers also outrebounded Otterbein 32-27, and 11-10 on the offensive boards. 52 of the Tigers 81 points came from the paint, as Wittenberg's bench also contributed 23 points.

UP NEXT: Wittenberg is back in action on Wednesday, November 29 against Oberlin. Tip-off is set for 8:00 P.M. at Pam Evans Smith Arena.