Stifling Defense Is Key to Tiger Win

Springfield, OH - The Tigers took on the Owls of Kenyon at home as they looked to get their season back on track after back-to-back losses in conference. After downing the Owls, 64-44, the Tigers are now third in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) standings with a 4-2 record.

The Tigers got off to a hot start in the game, as they went on a 7-0 run over the first four minutes before Kenyon was able to make a few shots to cut into the deficit, making it 8-6 only a couple of minutes later. It was at that point freshman Jace Wardlow (Bowling Green, KY / Bowling Green) came into the game, providing a spark off the bench with seven of the Tigers' next 10 points on the way to an 18-9 lead. In the last 11 minutes of the first half, Wittenberg only allowed four more points and scored 17 to go into the locker room at half up by 22 at 35-13.

In the second half, another bench player injected the Tigers with offense, as Sam Miller (Ashville, OH / Teays Valley) scored eight points to lead the team in 12 minutes of play. The second half was much more evenly matched as the Owls were able to outscore the Tigers, but only by two as Kenyon ultimately fell, 64-44.

Team Leaders

• Three Tigers reached double figures, as Miller and Eddie Brown (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy Orange) each had 11 points and Noah Frayer (Odenton, MD / SPIRE Academy) dropped 10.
• Dawson Scott (New Castle, IN / New Castle) was big on the glass with eight rebounds, while Frayer and Cal Bavineau (Dexter, MI / Dexter) each pulled down five.
• Bavineau paced the team in assists with three and Kyle Kenney (Centerville, OH / Centerville) came up big on the defensive end with four steals.

Team Comparison

• The Tigers shot 23-56 (41.1%) from the field, 7-23 (30.4%) from deep and 11-17 (64.7%) from the line. They logged 28 rebounds, eight assists, and committed 12 turnovers. Wittenberg scored 12 point off turnovers, 22 of their points come in the paint and the bench scored well, totalin 24 points.
• The Owls shot 16-53 (30.2%) overall, 1-13 (7.7%) from three-point range and 11-16 (68.8%) from the charity stripe. They pulled down 33 rebounds, dished out two assists and committed 15 turnovers. Kenyon scored 17 points off turnovers with 28 points in the paint and their bench put together a 21-point performance.

Next Up

On Saturday, January 17, the Tigers will travel to Oberlin to take on the Yeomen at 4:00 PM as they look to build on their big win in conference play. 

Written by: Grant Martin