The Tigers, ranked third in the nation, now have a 7-1 overall record, while the Polar Bears lost for the second time in the last three games after starting the season with seven straight wins. ONU is now 8-2, but its two losses are to defending Ohio Athletic Conference champion John Carroll and defending North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament champion Wittenberg.
This one was ugly in the opening 20 minutes as both teams struggled offensively against bruising, smothering defensive pressure. The Tigers led for most of the first half, using a 6-0 run to open up a 10-point edge at the 4:13 mark before the Polar Bears rallied to within two points at the intermission (23-22). Wittenberg shot just 31.8 percent from the field and ONU was just 29.7 percent offensively, and the two teams combined for 14 turnovers.
The early part of the second half was similar, except that the referees' whistles blew more and more often, eventually handicapping Ohio Northern in the paint. Two post players fouled out, and another played most of the second half with four fouls, leaving the Tiger frontline trio of senior posts Dane Borchers and Dan Russ and wing Kenny Brady to do some serious damage. With 11:36, ONU took its last lead on a free throw by Kyle Gehle, but Wittenberg went on a 17-5 burst, keyed by two three-point plays from Borchers and a breakaway dunk by Russ, his second of the game. Ohio Northern closed to within three points in the closing minutes, but the Tigers had just enough answers. Wittenberg finished the game on a 13-5 run in the final 4:24, with 7-of-8 free throw shooting being the key.
Despite a sore ankle that limited his practice time in the last week, Russ led all scorers with 22 points in the game. Borchers was tremendous with 21 points and 11 rebounds, his second straight double-double. Brady added nine points and four rebounds as the Tigers won the battle of the boards by a 39-33 margin.