SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Although nationally-ranked No. 1 Wooster and No. 15 Wabash have generated most of the buzz in the North Coast Athletic Conference this season following their record-breaking starts, No. 25 Wittenberg has quietly put itself in position to win the regular-season league crown. The Tigers moved to 11-1 in conference play on Saturday to tie for the league's top spot while sending Allegheny to its seventh straight loss, 90-60, at Pam Evans Smith Arena.
Wittenberg (15-5, 11-1 NCAC) raced to a 10-0 lead four minutes into the weekend tilt and never allowed the Gators (5-16, 2-11) to establish a serious threat. A three by senior Seth Eisner and a jumper by D'Andre Corbin helped quell the initial storm, but consecutive three's by leading scorer Steven Newell and Josh McKee doubled the advantage at 20-10 midway through the frame. Allegheny manufactured an 8-4 run to get as close as six, although a 12-3 run by the Tigers triggered an insurmountable deficit as the home squad led by 19 at the break while holding Allegheny to its lowest first-half point total this season (43-24).
James Ness' first basket of the game looked to signal a change for the Gators' fortune at the start of the second half. The junior forward added two more post baskets while Eisner and Donte Briscoe provided the attack with additional fuel as Allegheny pulled to 52-41 with 14 minutes left in regulation. After a turnover and a Briscoe steal, Allegheny had Wittenberg on its heels, although a missed lay-up and back-to-back turnovers prevented the Gators from clawing closer. The Tigers, meanwhile, extended their lead back to 20 as Newell and Hill canned long-range jumpers on ensuing possessions.
The Tigers benefitted from a 24-8 advantage in second-chance points to help swell the lead. Wittenberg also did an outstanding job on the glass, securing the most rebounds against the Blue and Gold in a game this year with 50 caroms. The Gators contributed to the large rebounding total by converting just 37% of its shots – the third time in five games that Allegheny has shot less than 40% from the floor. On the flip side, Wittenberg became the third opponent in four games to shoot at least 50% against the Allegheny defense.
Freshman Ryan Stanko scored 14 points while leading Allegheny in scoring for the third time this season. Devone McLeod added 12 points and four assists and Eisner finished with nine after closing 3-of-4 from deep. Ness had his streak of 13 consecutive games in double figures snapped, although he finished the night with eight points and a team-high nine boards.
Newell scored 21 to lead four players in double figures for Wittenberg. Alex Brandt totaled 14 points and 10 rebounds, Seth Hill added 12, and Clayton Black chipped in 11 markers and a game-high six dimes.