Tigers Get Defensive In Big Win Over Hiram

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Brooke Sears

HIRAM, Ohio — Statistically, at the very least, the Wittenberg Tigers turned in their best defensive effort of the 2011-12 season, holding Hiram to 23 percent shooting from the field in a 62-41 win over the Terriers.

The win was Wittenberg's third in a row to push the Tigers back above .500 overall at 6-5 and in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) at 2-1. Hiram lost for the first time at home this year to fall to 4-8 overall and 1-3 in the conference.

The win was also Wittenberg's 29th in a row against Hiram. The Tigers have never lost to the Terriers, dating back to their first meeting in 1989.

Hiram jumped out to a 6-0 lead to start the game, making two of its first four shots from the field and a pair of free throws. After that, however, the Terriers made just 6-of-24 shots in the first half and 12-of-56 overall from the field. From the free throw line, Hiram was nearly as cold, finishing just 7-of-17 for the game.

Wittenberg pulled out to a 30-20 lead by halftime and then put together a decisive 18-1 run after the Terriers opened the second half by scoring the first five points. The Tigers' lead was at 13 points through the final horn.

The Tigers were paced by senior Lyndsey Clark (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh), who finished with 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. She was joined in double figures offensively by senior Sarah Watson (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson), who contributed 15 points and game-highs of nine rebounds, two blocked shots and four assists.

Wittenberg, which shot 41 percent from the field, also picked up eight points and seven rebounds from freshman Enri Small (Columbus, Ohio/Columbus School For Girls) and a career-high five rebounds in just seven minutes off the bench from sophomore Brooke Sears (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg).