No. 14 Witt Hoops Take Down DePauw In NCAC Battle

No. 14 Witt Hoops Take Down DePauw In NCAC Battle
December 5, 2018
Box Score

Springfield, Ohio – The No. 14 Wittenberg men's basketball team held off the Tigers of DePauw University in a 77-66 NCAC battle at Pam Evans Smith Arena on Wednesday evening. Wittenberg launched a balanced attack at the DePauw defense, as five Wittenberg Tigers scored in double digits on the night. The Red and White were led by senior Mitchell Balser with 21 points, knocking down 7 of 11 from the field which included 5 of 8 looks from beyond the arc. Balser would also add three assists and a rebound to his credit before the night was over. Wittenberg withstood a final DePauw offensive attack before the first-half buzzer sounded, maintaining a 30-28 lead into the break. Wittenberg would go on to outscore DePauw 47-38 in the second half, knocking down 16 of 28 attempts from the floor.

Game Breakdown

Wittenberg captured their largest lead with just over four minutes left to go in the game, holding a 13-point advantage over DePauw. The Red and White made the most of their trips to the charity stripe in the second half, converting on 9 of 10 free throw attempts. After Balser put up 16 of his 21 points in the first half and going into the break 5 of 6 from the floor and 4 of 5 from deep range. It came time for Jordan Pumroy to find his stride in the second half, scoring 14 points to finish 5 of 9 from the field, and finishing the night with seven rebounds and along with dishing out four assists. James Johnson scored 8 of his 10 points in the second half, which included converting on two deep attempts from the field, finishing the second half 3 of 4 from the floor. Johnson would also reel in six rebounds, along with a steal on the night.

Who Stood Out

Connor Seipel earned his third straight double-double and his fifth of the season, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Columbus, Ohio native finished the five of six from the floor while converting on both of his free throw attempts, before the night was over Seipel would also have three assists and a block to his credit. Jacob Bertemes was the final Tiger in double figures, finishing the night with 10 points. Bertemes added two rebounds and a steal.

The Thread

UP NEXT

The Tigers will hit the road traveling to NCAC foe Allegheny for a Saturday afternoon tip-off at 2:00 PM. Wittenberg will return home for the Kiwanis/Wittenberg Holiday Classic on December 28-29.