Wittenberg Slips Past Wooster
The celebration for Senior Day turned out to be a victorious day for the Wittenberg Tigers, as they defeated visiting Wooster, 64-61.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The celebration for Senior Day turned out to be a victorious day for the Wittenberg Tigers, as they defeated visiting Wooster, 64-61.
Wittenberg improved to 14-9 overall and 10-4 North Coast Athletic Conference, while Wooster falls to 11-12 overall and 7-8 NCAC. The Tigers remained in a second-place tie with Denison and Ohio Wesleyan with the victory, two games off the pace set by Kenyon with two games to play.
Unlike the first meeting between the two teams, the Scots did not let Wittenberg get away early. A month ago in Wooster, the Tigers sprinted out to a stunning 39-4 lead in the first half, but this one was much tighter throughout.
Wooster trailed Wittenberg, 31-24 at half, and the second half was even tighter as the Scots rallied to tie the game 61-61 with two minutes left. The deeper Tigers, however, took advantage of the fact that two key Wooster players fouled out of the game as junior guard Brittany Landreth, who had a career-high eight points, calmly sank the game-winning free throws with 1:23 remaining.
The Tigers were led by sophomore post Kathy Hittle with game-highs of 16 points and nine rebounds. Also, Emilie Schimd chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds. For the Scots, Beth Besancon led with 15 points, while Michelle Hall had 14 points.
Wittenberg outrebounded Wooster, 39-29. None were bigger than offensive rebounds off missed free throws inside the final minute by freshman post Ali Rohlfs and Hittle. Wooster still got one final look at the basket to tie the game, but Besancon couldn't find the range.
The Tigers hit the road for games against Earlham and Ohio Wesleyan to close the season next week. If Wittenberg wins out and Kenyon wins its remaining games, then the Tigers can finish no worse than third place heading into the NCAC Tournament on Feb. 22.