Tigers Feast in Thanksgiving Eve Tilt

SPRINGFIELD, OH - After winning four straight games, the Tigers looked to extend their winning streak to five as they took on Marietta just a day before Thanksgiving. In their last non-conference matchup before opening the 2025-26 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) schedule, the Tigers were able to not only battle back from an early deficit, but Wittenberg put together a big run early in the second half to pull away for the 72-55 win over the visiting Pioneers.

Through the majority of the first half, the teams traded baskets back and forth until the Pioneers went on a run to take a six-point lead at 21-15. Wittenberg answered with a 6-0 run, led by Sam Miller (Ashville, OH / Teays Valley) with back-to-back baskets. By halftime, the Tigers were trailed by two points at 32-30.

The second half began with both teams missing shots before Eddie Brown (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy Orange) tied the score at 32 only a minute in. Brown then converted on an and-one after a missed shot by the Pioneers and the Tigers never looked back. With stellar defense and consistent scoring on the offensive end from Wittenberg, the Tiger lead ballooned to 20 with only seven minutes left in the game. Miller continued to play well, putting up six straight points in one key stretch, and Brown threw down two dunks to build the lead even more. Marietta could do little to cut the deficit before the game ended.

Team Leaders

• Brown led the team with 17 points and Miller scored 14 off the bench, while Tyler Galluch (Springfield, OH / Catholic Central) put up 11 and freshman Noah Frayer (Odenton, MD / SPIRE Academy) dropped 10 to put four Tigers in double figures offensively for the night.
• Miller led Wittenberg in boards with seven, along with Dawson Scott (New Castle, IN / New Castle), as Brown was right behind with six.
• Cal Bavineau (Dexter, MI / Dexter) and Kyle Kenney (Centerville, OH / Centerville) both dished out five assists to lead the team and Bavineau also nabbed three steals in the game as well.

Team Comparison

• The Tigers went 28-of-58 (48.3%) from the floor, 4-of-16 (25%) from three-point range, and 12-of-17 (70.6%) from the charity stripe. Wittenberg grabbed 35 boards, dished out 21 assists while only committing 11 turnovers, and put up 44 points in the paint and 23 off the bench.
• The Pioneers shot 20-of-53 (37.7%) overall, 2-of-13 (15.4% from deep and 13-of-18 (72.2%) from the stripe. They were able to pull down 27 rebounds and only assisted on four shots in the entire game with committing 12 turnovers and scoring 32 points in the paint and 20 bench points.

Up Next

The Tigers will begin NCAC play as they will travel to Deaware, Ohio, to take on the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops on Wednesday, December 3, at 7:00 p.m.

Written By: Grant Martin