Wittenberg's second straight win this season and seventh in the last eight meetings with the Little Giants improved the Tigers to 17-3 overall and 11-0 in the NCAC. Wabash dropped to 8-12 overall and 6-5 in the NCAC as the Little Giants battle for the fourth and final first-round home game in the NCAC Tournament. Wabash has never won a game in Springfield and trails the overall series, 18-5. Wittenberg has won 12 straight games since a Dec. 10 loss to nationally ranked Otterbein.
Wabash held three leads early in the first half before Wittenberg went on a 14-2 run to claim the lead for good. Trailing 26-16 at the 6:02 mark of the opening stanza, Wabash's Matt Storm briefly stemmed the tide with a lay-up, but Wittenberg responded with another 11-0 run to open up an insurmountable 19-point lead. The Tigers led 41-22 at halftime, thanks in part to just two turnovers and six three-pointers. In the second half, Wittenberg opened on a 7-0 run and eventually widened the lead to the final of 38 points.
Wittenberg easily won the battle of the boards, claiming a 51-35 rebounding advantage, and the Tigers' defense stifled the young Little Giants into 28 percent shooting from the field, including a 4-of-16 performance from three-point range. For the game, Wabash committed 20 turnovers to just 12 for Wittenberg.
The Tigers got 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists from Kenny Brady, good for game-highs in the first two categories. Peter Walker added 15 points, four rebounds and two assists in another fine all-around game. Rod Emmons chipped in with nine points on a trio of three-pointers and Danny Brywczynski finished with five points and five assists in just 17 minutes of action. For the fourth time in the last six games, Brywczynski finished without a turnover.
Wabash was paced by Storm's nine points and six rebounds. Adonis Joseph and Kyle Coffey chipped in with eight points apiece.