Kalis’ Double-Double Propels Tigers in Win Over OWU

Delaware, Ohio – Sophomore Kristie Kalis notched her fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Wittenberg University women's basketball team in a 76-57 victory over Ohio Wesleyan on Wednesday night in historic Branch Rickey Arena. With the win, the Tigers improve to 9-5 in NCAC play and continue to be part of a three-team battle with Kenyon and Oberlin for the coveted third and fourth positions in the conference standings. 

Game Breakdown

The Tigers held a slight 20-17 edge over the Bishop after the first 10 minutes of action, and the game remained close over the first five minutes of the second quarter, with the score sitting at 29-25 in favor of Wittenberg with 5:30 on the clock. However, the Tigers closed out the half on an 11-3 run, capped off by a pair of free throws from senior guard Sydney Mayle, to take a 40-28 lead at intermission. 

Wittenberg maintained its double-digit advantage throughout most of the third quarter, leading by as many as 13 on three different occasions, which included holding a 56-43 lead with 36 seconds left in the quarter following a three ball from senior guard Alex Kiess. OWU did draw within nine, 60-51, with 5:39 left in the game, but the Tigers regained control over the final five minutes, leading to the eventual 19-point road win over the Bishops.

 By The Numbers

Kalis was extremely efficient in the win for the Tigers as she shot 7-for-13 from the field, 2-for-6 from three-point range and 3-for-5 from the free throw line, while also closing out the game with 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. Junior center Riley Culver finished the game just one rebound shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Mayle and Kiess each finished the game with eight points apiece for the Tigers.

Wittenberg dominated the game in the paint, outscoring the Bishops by a 38-24 margin and also holding a 39-24 advantage in the rebounding column. As a team, the Tigers shot 47 percent (29-for-62) from the field, 33 percent (6-for-18) from beyond the arc and 80 percent (12-for-15) from the free throw line.

Up Next

With two games left in the conference season, the Tigers will look to keep their hold in the top-four in the conference standings, starting with a 2:00 p.m. game at Wooster next Saturday (2/9), before closing out the season on Saturday, February 16^th with a 2:00 p.m. home contest against Oberlin.