Nationally Ranked Denison Tops Tigers, 84-68

GRANVILLE, OH – Wittenberg Women's Basketball put a scare into No. 8-ranked Denison in the first half. However, the Big Red were able to regroup and turn in an explosive third quarter that carried them to an 84-68 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday, Jan. 21, in a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) battle at Livingston Gymnasium.

Not afraid of playing a ranked team, Wittenberg showed some determination in the first half, coming out of the gate on fire by shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point land while holding Denison to 31.6 and 6.3 percent to jump out to an 18-13 lead in the first and hold a 36-33 edge at the half.

The Big Red showed why they are a top league title contender again in 2026, turning things around in a hurry after the intermission with a 7-0 run to take the lead with less than nine minutes to go in the third. It was Denison's first lead since the nine-minute mark of the first quarter, and the Big Red would lead the rest of the game.

The third quarter was a big one for the Big Red, who shot 10-of-19 from the field while holding the Tigers to 4-of-12 behind a tough full-court press and sticky defense, which forced the Tigers to shoot from the outside. Denison also hit the boards, outrebounding Witt 15-5 in the third. The Tigers managed to stay in it for a while behind some key three-pointers and free-throw shooting. But the Big Red stretched their lead further in the fourth, holding the Tigers to 14 points in the final frame.

A big factor in the game was Denison controlling the boards and outrebounding the Tigers, 54-34, overall. The Big Red also forced Wittenberg into 16 turnovers, while committing 10. Denison scored 19 points off Witt turnovers. 

With the loss, Wittenberg drops to 9-8 on the season and 2-4 in the NCAC, while Denison remains unbeaten at 17-0 and 6-0 in the conference.

Three players scored in double digits for the Tigers, with Karsen Karlblom (Crystal Lake, IL / Prairie Ridge) turning in a phenomenal game, scoring a team-high 25 points. She also added three assists, five rebounds, and a steal. Molly Mossing (Cedarville, OH / Cedarville) also had a good night with 18 points, a team-high 10 rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Karley Moore (Tipp City, OH / Bethel) added 14 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Cadence Boyd(Cincinnati, OH / Monroe) and Madi Barnett (Cincinnati, OH / Kings) also had three assists apiece. 

Team Comparison

• The Tigers were 23-for-61 for 37.7 percent from the field, 7-for-19 (36.8 percent) from three-point range, and 15-of-21 from the free-throw line (71.4 percent).
• Denison was 27-for-74 from the field for 36.5 percent, 5-for-27 from three-point range for 18.5 percent, and 25-for-29 from the charity stripe for 86.2 percent.
• Witt had 34 rebounds, 12 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks in the game.
• Denison tallied 54 rebounds, 8 assists, 11 steals, and 5 blocks.

Next Up

The Tigers will host No. 12 John Carroll on Saturday, Jan. 24, for a 3 p.m. NCAC game at Pam Evans Smith Arena, part of the Health, Wellness & Athletics Complex.

Written By: Cindy Holbrook