The Wittenberg men's basketball team's optimism heading into a key North Coast Athletic Conference matchup at Ohio Wesleyan proved well-founded as the Tigers left Branch Rickey Arena with five straight wins to their credit following a 57-55 victory over the Battling Bishops.
Through the first half it looked to be all Tigers despite shaky shooting from both teams. Wittenberg's halftime lead was 27-16 thanks to an 11-3 advantage in bench scoring and Ohio Wesleyan's 25 percent shooting (7 of 28).
The Tigers also effectively shut down NCAC Player of the Year candidate Tim Brady, who entered the game averaging 22 points per game but scored only two in the half. The loss was Ohio Wesleyan's first conference defeat of the year, resulting in an 11-2 overall record and 3-1 NCAC mark.
The second half was much different, with the Bishops improving to 48 percent from the floor for the period and Brady finding his way to the hoop for 13. Ohio Wesleyan outscored Wittenberg 39-30 in the second half, leaving the 11-point halftime lead the deciding factor in the victory.
For Wittenberg, senior Clayton Black (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) led the way with team highs of 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 10 rebounds, for his third double-double of the season. With his first basket of the game he also notched his 900th career point for the Tigers.
Black was one of three Tigers who scored in double figures, joined by senior Michael Cooper (Springfield, Ohio/South) with 13 points and sophomore Zach Leahy (Rossford, Ohio/Rossford) with 12.
Senior Josh McKee (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh) was held below his scoring average but contributed three key steals, while Black led the team with three assists.
Wittenberg held statistical advantages in nearly every category, including 13-7 in points off turnovers, 26-22 in points in the paint, 10-6 in second chance points and 19-9 in bench scoring.
The Bishops and Tigers had met as undefeated conference opponents in five prior years with the Tigers victorious in three of those meetings and ultimately going on to win two NCAC regular season championships.
Wittenberg, now officially past the halfway point of the regular season, continues NCAC competition on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. The Lords are 7-6 overall and 1-3 in the NCAC.