Tigers Own Boards In Big Win Over Ohio Christian

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers jumped out to an 8-0 lead just two minutes into the game and never looked back, pulling away for an 83-56 victory over Ohio Christian University.

It was the first meeting between Wittenberg and Ohio Christian, a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association formerly known as Circleville Bible College. The win moved the Tigers to 4-2 on the 2013-14 season, while Ohio Christian fell to 3-5.

The Tigers made a respectable 37 percent of their shots from the field, but the key to the decisive victory was Wittenberg's work on the boards. The Tigers won the rebounding battle 54-38, keyed by 18 caroms for sophomore Ali Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas), the highest total by a Wittenberg player since Haley Warden recorded 19 in February 2004.

Miller also added nine points in 23 effective minutes in the post. The Tigers were paced offensively by senior Amber Rice (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) with 20 points and five rebounds, while junior Heather Schroeder (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora) contributed 14 points, four rebounds and a career-best five assists.

Also of note was the play of junior Darbie Zirkle (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) added 11 points and four rebounds off the bench, and junior Katelyn Haralamos (Maineville, Ohio/Kings) chipped in wth nine points in 13 minutes of action, her first in more than a week due to injury.

After Wittenberg expanded its lead to 18-2 in the early going, Ohio Christian battled the Tigers evenly through halftime to trail 37-21. Wittenberg pushed the lead out to as many as 31 points in the second half while emptying the bench. Sixteen different players saw at least one minute of action in the game.