Tigers Bounce Back With 75-72 Victory at Allegheny

MEADVILLE, Pennsylvania—Wittenberg women's basketball entered Friday night's NCAC matchup against the Gators of Allegheny College coming off of a poor shooting night in a loss to the Ladies of Kenyon earlier in the week. As the Tigers looked to put a notch in the win column in conference play, the Gators of Allegheny looked to do the same in their NCAC opener. The Tiger's shooting improved, but the story of Friday night's contest was Wittenberg's ability to get to the foul line and capitalize on their attempts. In a game decided by three points, the Tigers managed to get to the foul line 40 times, cashing in on 28 free-throws in the 75-72 victory. In addition to their offensive execution, Wittenberg has been consistent on the boards this season, as the Tigers dominated the Gators on the glass, as the team's physical presence was on display in the NCAC victory.

GAME NOTES

• Wittenberg opened up the contest sinking an easy 23 points in the first quarter, but the Tigers went cold in the second quarter, only scoring seven points in the frame.  
• The second quarter opened up with a Gator 9-0 run before an Alexis Perry jumper pulled the Tigers within one at 27-26.
• Amanda Raber would sink two free-throws at the end of the quarter to send the Tigers into the locker-room trailing 32-30.
• Out of the break, Wittenberg would go back and forth with the Gators before re-claiming the lead at 46-44 after two Liz Tolliver made free-throws.
• At the end of the third quarter, Wittenberg took control at 55-52 after an Alex Kiess layup with second remaining.
• The fourth quarter proved to be a good one, as the two teams found themselves deadlocked at 64-64 before a Tigers run capped off by a Bobbie Clayton layup extended the red and white's lead to 71-67.
• Down the stretch, the Gators shot multiple three-pointers to try and knot things up, but the Tigers defense and clutch free throw shooting sealed the deal for the visitors, as Allegheny was not able to get a shot off in their final possession as time expired.

KEY STATS

• Wittenberg's presence down-low on the glass has been felt all year, as the Tigers hauled in 60 boards and 25 offensive rebounds in the bounce-back victory.
• Kiess netted 23 points, while Perry chipped in 19, accounting for 56% of the Tigers scoring output on Friday night.
• Tolliver paced the Tigers on the glass, pulling down 13 boards in the 75-72 win, while also chipping in 11 points for her first career double-double. 
• The Tigers controlled the paint for most of Friday's game, outscoring the Gators 32-26 down low.
• The back and forth affair for Wittenberg featured six ties and seven lead changes, as the Tigers led by as many as eight early on.

UP NEXT

• Wittenberg has a quick turnaround, as the team travels to Hiram to square off  against the Terriers tomorrow at 3:00PM for the teams third NCAC contest in four days.