Tigers Unwrap Win Over Heidelberg Ahead Of Christmas

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Wittenberg women's basketball team improved to 7-3 on the season with a 74-65 non-conference win over Heidelberg on Saturday, in a game that included a record-breaking performance.

Senior Darbie Zirkle (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) finished the game with a team-best 22 points, but most of her scoring came at the free throw line. She was 15-of-16 at the stripe, breaking a 27-year old school record originally set by Stephanie Zonars in 1987 at 13 and equalled by Jenni Swartz in 1992.

The Tigers and visiting Student Princes fought neck-and-neck through the first 12 minutes of the game to a 19-18 Heidelberg lead. That's when the game turned on its head thanks to a 16-5 Wittenberg run over the remaining eight minutes of the half.

The run was sparked by four points from Zirkle and three by sophomore Michelle Brunswick (Middletown, Ohio/Madison) and freshman Bobbie Clayton (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove).

The game spent little time in doubt from them on as the Tigers held a healthy lead into and through the entire second half. The closest Heidelberg came was six points in the final few minutes of the contest.

Senior Katelyn Haralamos (Maineville, Ohio/Kings) was 6-for-9 from the field, including 3-for-5 from three-point range, to finish next with 16 points and five rebounds.

On the boards, Clayton and senior Heather Schroeder (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora) led the effort with six boards a piece.

Senior Enri Small (Columbus, Ohio/Columbus School for Girls) played a well-rounded game, earning three of the team's nine steals to go with two assists, one black and eight points.

The Tigers take the Christmas holiday off before returning to action in the annual Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Tournament, hosted by Kiwanis of Springfield at Wittenberg's Pam Evans Smith Arena on Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 30. The Tigers open against Mount St. Joseph at 2:15 p.m. on Monday, and conclude against Hanover at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

John Strawn '07