HOLLAND, Mich. — The Wittenberg Tigers parlayed a fast start into a 65-53 victory over Kalamazoo College in the opening game of the 2010 Hope Classic.

The win evened the Tigers' record at 4-4 on the 2010-11 season, while Kalamazoo dropped to 1-8. Wittenberg returns to action Saturday against nationally ranked Hope, while the Hornets take on Concordia (Ill.), which is Hope's Friday evening opponent.

An 11-2 run in the early going broke a 4-4 tie and propelled the Tigers toward the win. The Hornets never allowed the game to get out of reach, pulling within four points by halftime and closing a double-digit lead to nine with 2:12 left in the second half. A three-point play by junior Sarah Watson (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) with 1:52 left were the Tigers' last points, but Wittenberg's defense kept Kalamazoo at bay, allowing a single basket in six possessions over the final two minutes.

The teams shot a similar percentage from the field, each hit six three-pointers in the game, both ended with 17 turnovers and Kalamazoo led the rebounding battle 48-47. The primary scoring differential came from the free throw line, 13-5. That margin could have been greater if the Tigers had shot better from the line, as they made just 59 percent (13-of-22).

Individually, Watson turned in a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds to go along with two assists and two blocked shots. Senior Katherine Hueter (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) also finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, in addition to a career-best six assists and two steals. Also of note was a career-high 14 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field by junior Lauren Cassel (Columbus, Ohio/Dublin Coffman), and nine points, five rebounds and three assists in a well-round performance off the bench by freshman Jaclyn Willoughby (Sidney, Ohio/Houston).