Wittenberg Can't Find Range in Home Loss to Thomas More

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers have struggled to find their collective shooting touch in the 2003-04 season, and once again it led to a nonconference defeat. This time it was the visiting Thomas More College Saints who took advantage as they rallied past the defending North Coast Athletic Conference champions by a score of 76-62.

Wittenberg shot just 30 percent for the game from the field, making 19-of-64 shots, including just 10-of-36 in the second half. In addition, the Tigers managed just 6-of-26 from three-point range. Thomas More, on the other hand, shot 52 percent from the floor in the first half and 47 percent for the game. Included in that total is a strong 8-of-15 performance from three-point range.

The Tigers fell behind 29-6 in the first half before rallying to trail by just seven points at the half. In the second half, Wittenberg took a pair of one-point leads, their only advantages of the entire game, at 40-39 and 42-41. But Thomas More responded to the second lead, gained on a pair of Rachel Clark-Haggy (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) free throws at the 12:40 mark, with a 20-5 run. The Saints clinched the game with seven free throws in the final minute out of eight attempts.

Wittenberg was led by senior forward Haley Warden (Loveland, Ohio/Indian Hill), who had another monster game with 18 points and 16 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. Senior guard Amber Bishop (Batavia, Ohio/Batavia) added 17 points and four assists in the losing effort. Wittenberg held a 46-38 advantage in the rebounding category. Thomas More got a career-high 20 points from Allison Byars to lead all scorers and four Saints players in double figures.