Wabash has struggeld from the start in its last few trips to the HPER Center to play the Wittenberg Tigers. Thursday night the Little Giants started hot, but cooled off over the final five minutes of the first half before eventually losing 82-59 to the sixth-ranked Tigers in North Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball action.
Andy Root and Aaron Brock each hit three-pointers to give Wabash a 6-3 lead in the first minute of the game. The lead would trade between the Little Giant and Wittenberg over the next seven minutes before a three by Greg Hill put the Tigers up 19-18. Witt made it a 26-22 contest on another Hill trey at the 6:42 mark before Andrew Zimmer came up with a loose ball off a Tiger turnover. The junior threw down a slam dunk to trim the lead to two points with 5:43 remaining in the opening period.
It would be the last basket for the Little Giants in the first half. Zimmer would add two free throws with 1:37 remaining in the half as the points to counter a 13-point effort by the Tigers, giving Wittenberg a 39-26 lead at the break.
Earl Rooks brought Wabash back into the game in the opening minutes of the second period on a driving layup and free throw. But the Tigers countered with free throws by Jack Hemenway and another three by Hill, eventually taking a 16-point lead.
Chase Haltom hit a three-pointer with 10:54 left in the contest to trim the Tigers' lead to 14. Wabash would get no closer. Wittenberg outscored the Little Giants by 10 points in the final period to cruise to the 23-point victory.
Zimmer paced the Wabash effort with 19 points. Stephens added nine points and six rebounds, while Brian Maloney tossed in eight points as a reserve. Rooks finished with three points and five assists. Dane Borchers led Wittenberg with 19 points, one of four Tiger players to score in double figures. Hill had 16 points, while Hemenway scored 13. Billy Bowen scored 11 points.
Wabash (9-15, 6-9 NCAC) finishes the regular season with a 3 p.m. contest at Chadwick Court against Kenyon College. The annual alumni game will take place at 1 p.m. prior to the season finale