Fast Start Carries Tigers To Key NCAC Win Over Kenyon

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Perhaps inspired by their coach, who was taking a stand for poor children everywhere by prowling the sidelines in bare feet, the Wittenberg Tigers used a strong first half to pull away from Kenyon for a 61-47 victory.

Head Coach Sarah Jurewicz designated the game as "Barefoot for Bare Feet" and she successfully raised more than her goal of $1,000 to put shoes on children in need in Africa and at home in Springfield. Many Wittenberg students joined her in removing their footwear during the game at Pam Evans Smith Arena.

Wittenberg and Kenyon came into the game part of an unusual five-way tie for second place in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) standings, three games behind No. 1-ranked DePauw. The Tigers will head into a rare open weekend part of a four-way logjam for that position with Ohio Wesleyan, Allegheny and Denison at 5-3.

Wittenberg, which improved to 10-6 overall, overcame an early 6-3 deficit with a 15-point run. By halftime, the Tigers held a commanding 32-17 advantage, and over the final 20 minutes the Ladies could get no closer than eight points.

The win broke a five-game Wittenberg losing streak in the series. The Tigers shot 45 percent from the field in the first half before cooling off to 28.6 percent in the second half. Kenyon, on the other hand, managed just 27 percent shooting in the opening half and 43 percent in the second half, but the Ladies were hampered by 2-of-14 shooting from three-point range and just 5-of-10 from the free throw line.

Individually, Wittenberg was led by junior Heather Schroeder (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora), who poured in a career-high 21 points off the bench. She also finished with six assists and five rebounds.

Sophomore Taylore Bundy (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) was the only other Tiger in double figures as she contributed 10 points and seven rebounds.