#17 Wittenberg Runs Past Hiram

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—A 22-0 run was the key ingredient to a lopsided victory for Wittenberg men's hoops on Saturday. The Tigers dismantled Hiram inside Pam Evans smith Arena, as winning their third straight contest by double-digits. After sending the Terriers packing at 81-61, Wittenberg stands a 13-0 (5-0), and the only undefeated team remaining in the Great Lakes Region. Wittenberg is now one of five remaining undefeated teams in the top-25. The #17 Tigers also stand alone atop the NCAC standings after Wooster handed OWU their first conference loss minutes after Wittenberg and Hiram ended. For the Tigers, a 53 point first-half was highlighted by a 22-0 run early on, as Wittenberg trailed Hiram 8-5. Chad Roy paced the Tigers with 16 points, as Wittenberg coasted to another big win.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Trailing 8-5 early on, Wittenberg got off to the fast start that they had been looking for, rattling off 22 unanswered points. Hiram then found themselves trailing 27-8 with 9:34 remaining in the opening frame. Wittenberg continued to score at will for the remainder of the half, heading into the locker room with a convincing 53-29 lead. The second half was just as dominant for Wittenberg, as the scoring came from all facets of the Tigers dynamic offense, leading Hiram 71-49 with 7:40 remaining in regulation. In a half that featured a plethora of tick-tac fouls, the Tigers managed to dispose of Hiram 81-61.

WHO STOOD OUT: The #17 team in the land continued to receive scoring contributions all through the lineup, as Roy (16), James Johnson (12), Connor Seipel (10) and Jacob Bertemes (10) served as the Tigers double-digit scorers. Landon Martin came off the bench and provided a real spark to the Tigers lineup during the 22-0 run, as the freshman guard pulled down seven boards in the game. Seipel pulled in six rebounds, including three big offensive rebounds for the Tigers.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Wittenberg shot 48% from the floor, as 16 of their 30 made field goals came off assists on Saturday. The Tigers were able to get out and run against the Terriers, recording a season high 10 fast-break points. The rebounding battle was about the only thing that was close on Saturday, as Wittenberg edged Hiram in the statistic 36-32. The Tigers led by as many as 29 in the game, as Wittenberg's bench outscored Hiram's 30-11 in the win.

UP NEXT: Wittenberg returns to action on January 10, as the Tigers travel to Wabash for a 7:30 P.M. tip.