Wittenberg Bombs Its Way Past Ohio Wesleyan

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers proved once again Wednesday night that they have more than one way to win a game, combining their usual punishing inside game with a sharp perimeter shooting performance to record a 77-60 home victory over Ohio Wesleyan.

The Tigers moved into sole possession of second place in the North Coast Athletic Conference, just one game behind league leader Wooster at 6-1. Overall, top-ranked Wittenberg stands at 15-1 after collecting its ninth straight win, while Ohio Wesleyan dropped to 10-6 overall and 5-2 in the conference. The Battling Bishops have just one win against Wittenberg in 30 years, and they haven't collected a win in Springfield since the 1960s.

Wittenberg dominated from the outset, drilling the first five three-point shots it attempted in moving out to a commanding 24-10 lead at the 11:35 mark of the first half. By halftime, the margin remained a comfortable 14 points and the second half was quick and painless. The Wittenberg lead hovered between 14 and 20 points throughout the final 20 minutes. The game was one of the quickest in memory, ending in less than 90 minutes as the two teams committed just 22 fouls overall.

Wittenberg put four players in double figures offensively as the Tigers connected on a season-best 69 percent from the field, including a blistering 9-of-13 from three-point range. Wittenberg added a 10-of-12 performance from the free throw line. Ohio Wesleyan, on the other hand, managed 41 percent shooting from the field. The Bishops did become the first Wittenberg opponent since mid-December to reach the 60-point plateau. The Tigers lead the nation in team defense.

The Tigers were led by the twin towers, senior posts Daniel Russ and Dane Borchers with 13 points apiece. Borchers, who was 5-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line, added five rebounds, while Russ had a season-high five blocked shots. Senior wing Kenny Brady added 10 points and junior guard Pat Denbow had his finest game in the Red & White, hitting all three of his long range attempts and finishing with a career-best 11 points. He added three rebounds, three assists and three steals, while junior wing Billy Bowen chipped in with nine points off the bench, all on three-pointers in the first half.

Ohio Wesleyan put three players in double figures, led by Jesse Jean with 14 points off the bench. The Bishops' starting frontcourt of Ben Chojnacki and Dustin Rudegeair managed just six points and five rebounds between them.