Tigers Pull Out Win Over Hiram Behind Small's Career Day

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Less than a week after one of the biggest wins in recent program history, the Wittenberg Tigers were in need of a pick-me-up after a slow start. Enter sophomore guard Enri Small (Columbus, Ohio/Columbus School for Girls), who turned in a career night to spark the Tigers to a 66-61 win over visiting Hiram.

Wittenberg has never lost to Hiram in 31 all-time meetings, but the Tigers needed every one of Small's 20 points - not to mention her 14 rebounds, four assists and seven steals – to even their 2012-13 record at 6-6 overall. Wittenberg improved to 2-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), while Hiram fell to 5-8 overall and 0-4 in the conference.

Small scored Wittenberg's first three points after the Tigers came up empty on their first seven possessions (five missed shots, two turnovers), and by halftime Wittenberg had eased out to a 34-28 advantage. The Tigers struggled to put the game away in the second half, thanks to a combination of sub-par free throw shooting (14-of-25 for the game) and 21 turnovers.

Hiram tied the game three times over the final 20 minutes, but the Terriers never overtook the Tigers. After Calysia Smyers leveled things at 56 on a three-pointer with 3:34 remaining, Small answered with a trey of her own 30 seconds later, and she added two free throws after a steal at the 2:34 mark as Hiram would get no closer than three points the rest of the way.

Small's 20 points were a season-best, while her 14 rebounds (seven offensive) doubled her previous collegiate best as she posted her first double-double at Wittenberg. Her four assists matched her career high, and her seven steals were not only her personal best but the total ranks third in school history.

Small wasn't the only one to stuff the stats sheet for Wittenberg. Junior Amber Rice (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) led both teams with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. Rice also made 3-of-4 from the free throw line to go along with three rebounds, three assists and two steals in the game.

Also of note was the play of sophomore Karen Daniel-Hamberg (Columbus, Ohio/Grandview), who totaled eight points on 4-of-4 shooting from the field and seven rebounds (five offensive). Wittenberg held a commanding 41-28 rebounding advantage, and the Tigers also forced 24 turnovers.