Tigers Drop Season Opener at Otterbein

WESTERVILLE, OH - Wittenberg Men's Basketball opened the 2025-26 season with a 70-52 loss to host Otterbein.

An 11-3 run midway through the first half put Otterbein out front for good in the latest meeting between the longtime Central Ohio rivals. That changed an 11-11 tie into a 22-14 Cardinal advantage, which was stretched to 36-21 by halftime. Over the final 20 minutes, Wittenberg would get no closer than nine points.

For the game, Wittenberg shot 16-of-52 (30.8%) from the field, including 4-of-18 from three-point range. Otterbein shot 38 percent from the field while taking 11 more shots, made possible through ball security (seven turnovers) and a 42-38 rebounding margin for the Cardinals.

Individually, Wittenberg was led by junior wing Tyler Galluch (Springfield, OH / Catholic Central) and freshman guard Noah Frayer (Odenton, MD / SPIRE Academy) with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Galluch was efficient offensively, making 7-of-12 shots from the field and all four free throw attempts, while Frayer provided three-point shooting for the Tigers, making 3-of-7 shots from long range.

Senior Eddie Brown (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy Orange) led the Tigers in rebounding with eight, and he was credited with three of Wittenberg's four assists in the game. Frayer added six rebounds, and he led the Tigers with three steals.

Next up for the Tigers is a two-game home stand, starting with a visit from another longtime rival, the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12. The season-opening three-game stretch of Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opponents concludes with a visit from Wilmington at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.

Written By: Ryan Maurer