Roundup: Tigers Overtake the Defending NCAC Champions
The Wittenberg women's basketball team took the court just one time last week, but they made the most of that lone opportunity, defeating the NCAC defending champion Ohio Wesleyan University Battling Bishops 66-60 on Saturday to move back into sole possession of first place in the NCAC.
Meers
The Wittenberg women's basketball team took the court just one time last week, but they made the most of that lone opportunity, defeating the NCAC defending champion Ohio Wesleyan University Battling Bishops 66-60 on Saturday to move back into sole possession of first place in the NCAC.
Wittenberg took a lead just less than three minutes into the game and expanded it to as much as 12 points, then held on to defeat 2001 NCAA Division III FinalFour participant Ohio Wesleyan, 66-60.
While the Tigers led the game for 37 of its 40 minutes, it was by no means easy. Wittenberg took a 33-25 lead into the locker room at halftime and moved it out to 12 points on a lay-up by junior center Rebecca Meers (Moline, Ill./Moline) with 6:03 remaining in the game. From that point, the Battling Bishops, who defeated the Tigers two weeks earlier in Delaware 74-72, put on a furious charge that came up just short.
As usual, it was a trio of juniors leading the way for Wittenberg. Forward Tiffany Keller (Massillon, Ohio/Tuslaw), the NCAC Player of the Week last week, had her eighth straight game in double figures with 12points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throwline. Guard Stephanie Campbell (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern)had a terrific all-around game and finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. And guard Kate Rolf (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Carroll) also contributed a fine all-around effort as she hit for 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Wittenberg outrebounded its visitors 44-32 and shot 13-of-16 from the free throw line, key stats in the biggest game of the season.
The Tigers are back in action on Tuesday against Kenyon, a game that will be broadcast on WBLY AM 1600 in Springfield (and can be heard on WBLYAM 1600 in Springfield or via the Internet at /news/athletics/broadcast.shtml)and telecast on tape delay by Time Warner Cable in Dayton. It is the first of three games in a busy week for the Tigers, who make a trip to Hiram and Allegheny over the weekend for games Friday and Saturday.