Tigers Hang Tough in NCAC Quarterfinal Loss to DePauw, 56-46

GREENCASTLE, Indiana—Wittenberg women's basketball ended their season Tuesday night in Greencastle, but the Tigers did not go down without a fight. As the road team, and the lower seed, the Tigers led for a majority of the game, including the beginning of the fourth quarter at 38-35. In the end, DePauw proved to be too much, winning the game 56-46. The NCAC quarterfinal matchup between the number two seed and the number seven seed was nothing short of a back-and-forth affair, featuring five lead changes in the closely played battle.  Wittenberg was led by Taylore Bundy (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) in her final game as a Tiger, as the senior netted 14 points and pulled down five rebounds in the season finale. The Tigers finish the season with a 7-17 record overall, and a 6-11 NCAC mark. The Tigers basketball program says good-bye to seniors; Taylore Bundy, Mady Fogle (Plain City, Ohio/Fairbanks), Ali Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas), and Teddi Tankersley (Springfield, Ohio/Greenon), but not without a thank-you for all of their hardwork and contributions as Wittenberg Tigers.

GAME BREAKDOWN

• The Tigers got off the bus firing away Tuesday night, as they led DePauw 18-10 at the end of the first-quarter. The opening period was capped off by a Becca Ziska (Brook Park, Ohio/Berea-Midpark) three-pointer with 51 seconds remaining to go up by eight.
• In the opening seconds of the second-quarter, Bundy got to the hoop for a layup to put the Tigers up 10 points.
• Half-way through the second-quarter, DePauw clawed back into the game, as the Wittenberg lead shrunk to 20-18.
• Despite an Alex Kiess (Edon, Ohio/Northwest) three-pointer to go up 23-19, the Tigers trailed 26-23 going in to the break.
• With 6:49 remaining in the third-quarter, Wittenberg regained the lead at 27-26, courtesy of a Haley Dannemiller (Cleves, Ohio/Mother of Mercy) layup.
• Kiess sent another three-pointer through the bottom of the net with 2:17 remaining to go up 35-30.
• The remaining of the third-quarter went back-and-forth, as the game shifted to the fourth-quarter knotted up at 35-35.
• Not even 30 seconds into the quarter, Kiess found herself open again from deep, splashing home her third three-pointer of the game, as Wittenberg took the lead 38-35.
• From this point on, Wittenberg surrendered the lead for good, dropping the contest 56-46.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Wittenberg out-rebounded DePauw 31-29 in the game, but were outscored in the paint 22-14 on the night.
• The Tigers produced 15 points off the bench, featuring Kiess' impressive day from behind the three-point arc.

KEY STATS

• Riley McDonald (Dexter, Michigan/Dexter) led the Tigers rebounding efforts with six rebounds on the night.
• Wittenberg finished 7-21 from behind the three-point line, as DePauw finished 3-7.
• Tuesday night's NCAC quarterfinal matchup featured two ties and five lead changes.

FROM THE BENCH

• "We gave what I would define as, a true Wittenberg Tiger effort out there tonight. I have nothing but pride for the continuous effort this team gave all season. The progress we made was tremendous, even if it didn't show in the win column. The four seniors set a perfect example of hard work and perseverance all season for the underclassmen and we will miss their positive influence, and are glad they have been a part of the Wittenberg Women's Basketball program,"  said Coach Jurewicz.