Wittenberg Falls to Kenyon in NCAC Tournament Quarterfinals

#7 Wittenberg women’s basketball concluded a successful 2016-17 campaign with an early exit in the NCAC Quarterfinals against #2 Kenyon College; 61-46

Wittenberg Falls to Kenyon in NCAC Tournament Quarterfinals
February 21, 2017
Box Score

GAMBIER, Ohio—#7 Wittenberg women's basketball concluded a successful 2016-17 campaign on Tuesday night with an early exit in the NCAC Quarterfinals against #2 Kenyon College. The Tigers youthful roster grew up in a hurry throughout the entirety of the long-campaign, as Wittenberg saw contributions up and down the lineup the entire season. Falling on Tuesday night 61-46, Wittenberg was paced offensively by Sydney Mayle who chipped in 11 points for the red and white off the bench. The Tigers did not lead in the contest, but the team managed to cut the Kenyon lead to as little as five points on multiple occasions in the fourth quarter. Wittenberg's campaign concludes with a 10-16 overall record after going 6-10 in NCAC play.

GAME BREAKDOWN

  • The Tigers trailed 25-19 at the break behind eight points from Alex Kiess and Madison Linn, as the Tigers shot 16% from the floor in the first two quarters.
  • Out of the break, the Tigers pulled within three behind a Riley McDonald free-throw, and a Haley Dannemiller layup with 8:37 remaining in the frame.
  • With 3:38 left to play in the third quarter, Hannah Weaver entered in off the bench and promptly splashed home a three pointer to cut the Kenyon lead to 32-30.
  • Wittenberg finished the third quarter down 43-36, drawing first blood in the fourth quarter on a Dannemiller jumper, as Kenyon remained up 43-38.
  • Kiess connected on a long ball off of an assist from Linn to cut the lead to 48-43 with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.
  • Wittenberg would then go cold for nearly five minutes, as Kenyon's lead swelled to 57-43 with under three minutes remaining in the contest.
  • The Tigers could not overcome Kenyon's late defensive pressure, falling 61-46 at the final buzzer on the road.

KEY STATS

  • The Tigers won the turnover battle on Tuesday night, forcing Kenyon into 20 miscues, as Wittenberg turned the ball over 16 times as a team.
  • Michelle Brunswick paced the Tigers with seven rebounds, as the team was out-rebounded 40-31 in the NCAC Tournament contest.
  • Mayle paced the Tigers with 11 bench points, as Wittenberg outscored Kenyon's bench as a unit; 28-22.