Tigers Stifle Kenyon To Secure Key NCAC Road Win

GAMBIER, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers put together one of their finest defensive performances of the 2014-15 season, and the result was a crucial 49-39 road victory over North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Kenyon.

The win moved Wittenberg into a five-way tie for second place in the NCAC standings as the nine teams hit the halfway point of the 2014-15 league schedule. DePauw is in firm control with an 8-0 record, followed by Wittenberg, Allegheny, Denison, Oberlin and Ohio Wesleyan, all at 5-3.

The Tigers, who now have a week off to prepare for another key league contest against Ohio Wesleyan on Jan. 28, improved to 13-5 overall. Kenyon fell to 5-11 overall and 3-5 in the NCAC.

The Ladies held a 6-4 lead in the early going before the Tigers put together an 11-0 spurt to take command of the game. By halftime, Wittenberg led 29-15, in part thanks to a stout defensive effort that held Kenyon to just 17 percent shooting from the field.

The Ladies shot 40 percent in the second half, but the lead never dropped below 10 the rest of the way.

Wittenberg was paced offensively by freshman Bobbie Clayton (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove), who came off the bench to score 13 points and grab seven rebounds in 20 outstanding minutes. Senior Darbie Zirkle (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) also reached double figures with 11 points, part of a double-double that also included 10 rebounds. Zirkle also contributed four steals.

Also of note was the play of senior Katelyn Haralamos (Maineville, Ohio/Kings), who stuffed the stats sheet with nine points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Wittenberg held a commanding 44-31 rebounding advantage in the game.

Written By: Ryan Maurer