Fast Start Sends Tigers Past Oberlin
The Wittenberg Tigers scored 18 of the game's first 20 points, a fast start that catapaulted them to an 81-45 victory over visiting Oberlin for the 43rd straight time, dating back to 1979.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers scored 18 of the game's first 20 points, a fast start that catapaulted them to an 81-45 victory over visiting Oberlin for the 43rd straight time, dating back to 1979.
Wittenberg's fourth straight victory in the span of just eight days moved the Tigers to 8-4 overall and 4-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). Oberlin lost its 12th in a row after starting the season with a win over Westminster.
The Tigers shot a blistering 72 percent from the field in the first half, including 8-of-11 from three-point range. The Tigers hit 14 of their first 15 shots in racing out to a huge lead, which stretched to 47-13 by halftime. Over the final 20 minutes, Wittenberg's starters cooled off before giving way to the team's 10-man bench, which pushed the lead back out to as many as 39 points.
Senior Chris Sullivan (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) led with 18 points, all on three-pointers as he drained 6-of-9 from long distance. Junior Alex Brandt (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) added 11 points and five rebounds, while junior Clayton Black (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) turned in a fine all-around stat line of five points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Also of note was the play of junior Jacob Weide (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead), who contributed 14 points in 17 quality minutes off the bench.
Thirteen of the 15 Wittenberg players who appeared in the game scored at least two points. The Tigers won the rebounding battle 39-20, although they did commit four more turnovers than Oberlin in the game. Defensively, Wittenberg harrassed Oberlin into 33 percent shooting from the field. The Yeomen were led by Josh Merritt with 11 points and three assists.