Wittenberg Stifles Capital in 79-62 Home Victory

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers, coming off a tough loss in the championship game of the Kiwanis-Wittenberg Tip-Off Classic, rebounded nicely on Tuesday to defeat visiting Capital University 79-62 at the HPER Center. Wittenberg improved to 2-1 overall with the win, while the Crusaders, normally a powerhouse program with a national title to its credit in the last decade, fell to 0-3.

Wittenberg, which lost 82-74 to Ohio Athletic Conference power Otterbein last Saturday, took control early against Capital, also an OAC power. The Tigers scored 15 of the game's first 20 points and never looked back, eventually pulling away by as much as 21 points late in the second half.

The difference in a game that featured 55 fouls and 51 turnovers between the two teams, was shooting percentage. Capital managed just 29.4 percent from the floor, including a 1-for-14 performance from beyond the three-point line. Wittenberg shot 40 percent from the floor, including 4-of-12 from three-point range. The rebounding battle was even at 43-42 Wittenberg, while Capital committed five more turnovers in the game.

Wittenberg put three players in double figures, led for a third straight game by senior guard Stephanie Campbell, who hit for 16 points to lead all scorers. Senior forward Meghan Bruggeman hit for 15 points, including 6-of-7 from the free throw line, and senior guard Kate Rolf also drained 15 points. Bruggeman and Campbell shared rebounding honors with seven each.

Now the Tigers hit the road for the first time in 2002-03. Nationally ranked OAC power Baldwin-Wallace hosts Wittenberg in Berea on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The game can be heard on WULM 1600 AM in Springfield or on the Internet at Wittenberg's online broadcast page.