Ohio Wesleyan 63, Wittenberg 48

Jan. 21, 2009

Freshman wing Tim Brady (Dublin/Jerome) scored 7 points during a 9-2 first-half run that pushed Ohio Wesleyan's lead into double figures, then scored 4 points during a 13-2 second-half burst that broke the game open as Ohio Wesleyan defeated Wittenberg in North Coast Athletic Conference play on Wednesday in Springfield.

After trailing, 6-5, Ohio Wesleyan took the lead on a pair of free throws by junior post Brent Pleiman (Russia), then added a 3-pointer by junior guard Rob Gardiner (Dublin/Coffman) before a Pleiman bucket and a 3-pointer from senior wing Mitch Noggle (Dublin/Coffman) moved the Bishops to a 15-8 advantage just under 8 minutes into the contest.

The Tigers closed to within 17-13 on a 3-pointer by Kevin Murray, but on Ohio Wesleyan's next possession, Brady was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer and buried all 3 free throws to restore the 7-point lead.

Brady then answered a basket by Wittenberg's Michael Cooper with one of his own, and after a pair of Noggle free throws, it was Brady with another lay-in to push the Bishop lead to 26-15 with 4:45 left in the first half. Senior wing Kyle Miller (Delaware/Hayes) added a 3-pointer, and after a Gardiner lay-in and a pair of Pleiman free throws, the Bishops held a 33-17 lead with 2:26 remaining in the period.

Ohio Wesleyan still led, 41-29, after a pair of Brady free throws 5 minutes into the second half before the Tigers clawed back, collecting baskets by Lewis Buzzard and Alex Brandt, then hoops from Brandt and Murray to cut the Ohio Wesleyan lead to 43-37 with 10:48 left in regulation time.

Noggle knocked down a 3-pointer on Ohio Wesleyan's next possession to end the Wittenberg run, and after a Snyder jumper, the Bishops held the Tigers scoreless for more than 6 minutes. Meanwhile, lay-ins from Brady and Gardiner and jumpers by Pleiman and Brady extended the Bishop lead to 54-39, and Gardiner added a pair of free throws to cap the Bishops' 13-2 run, giving Ohio Wesleyan a 56-39 lead with 3:36 left in the game.

Brady and Gardiner led the Bishops with 13 points apiece, with Gardiner's 13 points establishing a career best. Freshman post Pat Pellerite (Olmsted Falls) followed with 10 points. Pleiman and senior wing Kyle Holliday (Van Wert) shared the Bishop lead with 5 rebounds apiece, and Miller had a team-best 4 assists.

Murray led the Tigers with 11 points, and Cooper scored 10 points for Wittenberg.

Box Score