The Wittenberg/Wooster men's basketball rivalry almost always delivers. The latest installment was no exception, as the host Tigers survived a regulation buzzer-beater to pull out a 68-62 overtime victory over the Scots.
The win clinched a share of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season championship, breaking a seven-year run for the Scots. Wittenberg, ranked 22nd nationally and second in the Great Lakes Region, improved to 18-5 overall and 12-2 in the NCAC, compared to 19-4 overall and 10-4 in the league for Wooster, which came in ranked 13th nationally and third in the region. Both teams have two games remaining before the conference tournament.
The Tigers, who recorded their first regular season sweep of the Scots since 2004, appeared to have the game in hand in the waning seconds before Wooster reeled off seven straight points to send the game into overtime. Freshman guard Xavier Brown, who led all scorers with 24 in the game, drained a clutch foul line jumper as the buzzer sounded to cap the regulation-ending burst.
The senior-dominated Tigers re-gained their footing in the extra five minutes, however, starting with four straight points from senior Alex Brandt (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) to get things started. After Wooster closed to 60-58, senior Michael Cooper (Springfield, Ohio/South) hit perhaps the biggest shot of his career, a three-pointer at the 2:57 mark. Wooster answered with a triple at the other end, but senior Clayton Black (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) added a lay-up and Cooper hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final 24 seconds to seal the victory.
Cooper led the Tigers, who led 34-18 at halftime, with 14 points and six rebounds. Senior Josh McKee (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh) added 13 points and six boards, while Black overcame a 4-for-15 shooting performance and foul difficulties to contribute 10 points and eight rebounds.
Also of note was the play of sophomore Steven Newell (Englewood, Ohio/Northmont), who hit 3-of-4 from long range and played turnover-free basketball in 29 solid minutes off the bench.
Wooster, who saw its seven-game winning streak snapped, shot 38 percent from the field, compaired to 37.5 percent for Wittenberg. The Tigers held a two-rebound advantage in the final boxscore, while the Scots turned the ball over one less time in the game.
The pivotal statistic in the final analysis was free throw shooting. The Scots made just 6-of-15 from the charity stripe, while the Tigers finished 17-of-22. Ironically, Wittenberg was 10-of-20 in its loss at Wabash on Wednesday.
Wittenberg closes the 2011-12 regular season with a game at DePauw on Wednesday, Feb. 15, and a home contest with Hiram on Saturday, Feb. 18. The Tigers need just one win to clinch home court advantage throughout the NCAC Tournament.