Burton's Double-Double Powers Tigers To OT Win Over Otterbein

Springfield, Ohio - Playing their first game in two weeks, the Wittenberg Tigers were pushed to overtime before pulling out a thrilling 65-58 victory over visiting Otterbein.

The Tigers improved to 4-2 on the season, while Otterbein fell to 3-5. The game was the first of four in less than a week for Wittenberg, which travels to Anderson on Friday, December 15, before hosting a pair of games in its annual Holiday Classic December 19-20.

After a tight first half, Otterbein pushed its two-point halftime lead out to nine points by the end of the third quarter. That set the stage for a tremendous Wittenberg rally, capped by a layup by Taryn Cash (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) inside the final minute of the fourth quarter that tied the game at 54. In the overtime period, the Tigers built on their momentum from the fourth quarter, outscoring the Cardinals 11-4.

Riane Burton (Houston, Texas/Cypress Ranch) scored six of Wittenberg's points in overtime, atoning for two missed free throws in the final second of regulation that would have won the game. In 30 minutes off the bench, Burton posted career-high totals of 26 points and 14 rebounds, in addition to three steals.

Cash also reached double figures offensively with 16 points. She added six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Evie Wolshire (Lancaster, OH/Fairfield Union) contributed eight points, and Jade Simpson (Edgewood, Kentucky/Holy Cross) finished with eight rebounds in the game.

Wittenberg shot 39 percent from the field, but interestingly the Tigers attempted just two three-point field goals in the entire game and did not make either shot. The Tigers attempted 30 free throws in the game, making 23 of them, compared to 8-of-11 for Otterbein.