Fourth Quarter Success Leads to Holiday Classic Win

Springfield, OH- The Tigers were back in Pam Evans Smith Arena for their final home game of the Fall semester against Asbury in the Wittenberg Holiday Classic. In an exciting match-up the Red & White went back-and-forth with the Eagles but the Tigers determination on defense kept Asbury behind and Wittenberg left with a 67-61 win, improving their season record to 5-5.

The Tigers were led by Delaney Williams, Abigail Yunker, Kristie Kalis, Jade Simpson, and Kelsey Ragan on the court as Wittenberg's starting five. The starting line-up accumulated a total of 44 points, 28 rebounds, and an overall shooting percentage of 43.7%. As a team, Wittenberg was able to lead statistically in every category aside from 2^nd chance points.

The Tigers first points came from a free throw opportunity from Abigail Yunker. Yunker has been put on the line 28 times this season with a 82.1% success rate. With a made lay-up, Yunker was able to put Wittenberg in the lead for the first time at the 6:37 mark. Kristie Kalis and Taryn Cash added to the total in the first quarter and Wittenberg went into the second with a slim 14-13 lead. Five Tigers would get on the board in the second quarter, being led by Jaida Malone who put up two field goals and one three-point shot for a total of seven points. Malone helped lead the Tigers to victory in their previous game and would do the same against the Eagles with a total of nine points. Despite the Tigers best efforts, the headed into the locker room down 31-29.

Wittenberg struggled offensively in the third quarter, only putting up 12 points compared to Asbury's 18. The Tigers were led by Kalis and Yunker in the third quarter, each putting up five points and one rebound. The Red & White bounced back in the fourth quarter with their best effort and 26 points. The Tigers were able to shut down the Eagles on offense, only allowing 12 points from the opponent. Wittenberg was behind until the remaining five minutes but slowly crept up to take a 60-55 lead. The Eagles were able to tie the game at 61 points forcing the Red & White to hustle and put up six points to claim a 67-61 victory.  

After tonight's match-up, Wittenberg has averaged 65 points per game, going 38.6% from the field, 28.6% in three-point percentage, and 66.9% from the line. Wittenberg was able to surpass their season average in points, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free-throw percentage for the second game in a row. The Tigers went 39.3% from the field, 30.0% in three-points, and 81.3% from the line to improve their season average.

Wittenberg Leaders- The Tigers had nine different individuals score, being led by Kristie Kalis offensively with 19 points, going 6-6 from the line, 5-10 in the field, and 3-6 in three points. Following in points on the night was Abigail Yunker with 17. Yunker also picked up seven assists and seven rebounds.

NCAC Leaders- For the sixth week in a row five Tigers sit in the top ten in the NCAC for statistics. Abigail Yunker sits at number seven for points in the NCAC with 137. Just behind Yunker is Kalis with 133 points. Jade Simpson sits at number nine in the conference for field goal percentage with a season average of 44.9%. Kalis and Yunker are in the top ten for three-points made this season with Kalis leading the way at number three, while Yunker sits at nine. For three-point percentage Yunker lands at number two in the conference with 46.7% while Kelsey Ragan lands at number six with 37.9%. Defensively, Jade Simpson lands at number five in the conference for rebounds with 89; 59 being defensive and 30 being offensive. Delaney Williams sits at number three for assists on the season with 45. (For complete NCAC statistical leaders go to https://www.northcoast.org/sports/wbkb/2021-22/leaders)

Up Next- The Tigers will return to action down in Nashville, TN at Trevecca Nazarene to compete against Hanover College. Tip-off is set for 1PM.