Wittenberg Digs Early Hole Against Baldwin-Wallace And Is Unable To Rally

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers fell behind by double digits in the opening minutes against visiting Baldwin-Wallace, and a furious second-half rally fell short as a result in a 72-62 loss. The Tigers dropped to 1-2 on the young season while B-W, like Wittenberg a young team in search of an identity at the outset of the 2004-05 season, moved to 2-1.

A quick glance at the halftime boxscore told the whole story for the Tigers, who shot just 32 percent from the field and were outrebounded 21-11. Baldwin-Wallace shot 52 percent from the field, including a blistering 4-of-7 from three-point range, as the Yellow Jackets built what turned out to be an insurmountable 39-27 lead. In the second half, Wittenberg evened up the rebounding category, finishing just 13 back of the Yellow Jackets (for the game), but the Tigers still didn't shoot well enough, turning in a 31 percent performance. Combined with a 12-of-23 showing at the free throw line, the Tigers couldn't find their way back into the game.

B-W's shooting from the field nearly gave the Tigers their opening, however. The Yellow Jackets shot just 33 percent in the final 20 minutes and their lead shrunk to five on a wild three-pointer by Tigers' sophomore guard Megan Miller with 26 seconds left. However, B-W's Cara Shiplett, the game's leading scorer with 21 points, made a wide open layup off the ensuing in-bounds play to end the rally. Wittenberg missed two more three-pointers and the Yellow Jackets made 3-of-4 from the free throw line in the waning seconds to ice it.

Perhaps the biggest difference in the game was the presence of easily identifiable go-to players for B-W. Point guard Nikki Altenweg had a tremendous game with 14 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while committing just three turnovers in 31 minutes of action. Many of her feeds provided Shiplett with easy opportunities as she hit 7-of-9 from the floor and 7-of-9 from the free throw line.

Wittenberg, on the other hand, often looked disjointed offensively as Head Coach Pam Smith tried a wide variety of player combinations in search of winning formula. Sophomore post Kathy Hittle finished with a team-high 15 points and added five rebounds, but no one else reached double figures. Freshman post Ali Rohlfs finished with eight points and a team-high six rebounds as 13 players appeared in the game for the Tigers and 11 of them played 13 minutes or more. Miller was one of three players with seven points, and senior guard Alison Nahrup had a decent all-around game with four points, four steals, two assists and two rebounds.

No rest for the weary, however, as the Tigers now turn their attention to nationally ranked perennial powerhouse Capital at home on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. in the HPER Center.