The Tiger win means that they clinch at least a share of the 2003-04 North Coast Athletic Conference regular season championship, as they stay perfect in league play at 14-0 and improve to 20-3 overall. And, they need just one win next week in order to secure the No. 1 seed and homecourt advantage for the NCAC Tournament (Feb. 24-28).
Wooster (19-3, 12-2 NCAC), playing in front of a near-capacity crowd (3,189) at its Timken Gymnasium, had taken a 54-50 lead with 7:29 to play, but only made two field goals the rest of the way, one coming with seven seconds remaining when the game was well out of reach.
Earlier, Walker knocked down another big three-pointer at the 7:11 mark, pulling Wittenberg within one (54-53), and after a Scot turnover, Daniel Russ made a well-defended jumper in the paint to give the Tigers a lead (55-54) that they would not relinquish.
The Scots stayed within striking distance, despite scoring just three points (all from the foul line) during a five-minute stretch. Then, Walker’s second three-pointer made it a two-possession game for the first time since early in the second half.
Wooster attempted a couple of quick three-pointers, but they would not fall, and the Scots decided to foul the rest of the way.
In the opening half, Wittenberg banked in a three-pointer from the top of the key to take a 5-4 lead and stayed ahead by single-digits for the final 17:25, including a 38-32 advantage at the break.
The Tigers got up by eight (44-36) in the second, but Wooster put together its best stretch, scoring 11-straight to take over the lead (47-44).
Walker led all players with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Kenny Brady and Daniel Russ contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively, to the Wittenberg win.
For the Scots, Tom Port and Rodney Mitchell combined for 26 points – 16 for Port and 10 for Mitchell – but they shot just 9-of-29 from the field, including 2-of-15 from three-point range. PJ McCloud produced a big game off of the bench, scoring 10 points, including 2-of-2 three-pointers, and grabbing six rebounds. Port had a team-high eight boards.
Overall, the Tigers became just the second team this season to outrebound Wooster, owning a 39-35 advantage on the glass. They also finished at a rate of 44.6 percent from the field (25-of-56), including 14-of-27 in the first half (.519) to the Scots’ 35.7 percent (20-of-56). They were a miserable 5-of-26 on three-pointers (.192).
Next, Wooster travels to Hiram College (4-19, 2-12 NCAC) on Wednesday (Feb. 18). Opening tip will be at 8:15 p.m., as Hiram is hosting a women’s-men’s doubleheader.