Wittenberg Rally Falls Short In Loss To Capital
The Wittenberg Tigers were climbing a mountain all evening, eventually running out of time before reaching the summit in a 72-64 loss to visiting Capital.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers were climbing a mountain all evening, eventually running out of time before reaching the summit in a 72-64 loss to visiting Capital.
The loss evened Wittenberg's record at 2-2, heading into an eight-day holiday break. Capital improved to 2-1 on the young season.
The Crusaders grabbed control early in the game, stretching a 13-10 lead into a 13-point cushion with a 10-point run that was capped by a fast break lay-up at the 11:17 mark of the first half. The lead ballooned to 15 points at the 16:16 mark of the second half, and from that point on the Tigers could get no closer than six points.
Capital kept the Tigers at bay in large part thanks to an efficient offense that limited turnovers and consistently created high-quality scoring opportunities. That led to 52 percent shooting in the first half and 46 percent shooting for the game, including 3-of-7 from three-point range. The Crusaders were just as good from the free throw line, making 17-of-22, and Capital was forced into just 12 turnovers, compared to 19 for Wittenberg. Tellingly, the Crusaders were credited with 20 assists on 26 made baskets in the game.
The Tigers hit 50 percent from the field in the second half and 45 percent for the game, and Wittenberg won the rebounding battle 34-31. But the turnovers, combined with 13 less free throw opportunities, accounted for the difference in the final box score analysis.
Individually, Wittenberg had just five players find their way into the scoring column, led by junior Sarah Watson (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) with 23 points to go along with five rebounds. Senior Katherine Hueter (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) was outstanding as well with 22 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. She hit 8-of-13 field goals, 2-of-3 from three-point range, and 4-of-5 from the free throw line.
Off the bench, the Tigers picked up eight points apiece from sophomores Ashanta Robinson (Yellow Springs, Ohio/Yellow Springs) and Kim Replogle (Houston, Ohio/Houston), who also added a team-high eight rebounds.