Box Score
Wittenberg 77, Ohio Wesleyan 71

Senior post Nick Carlson (Dublin/Coffman) scored 12 points to help Ohio Wesleyan build a halftime lead, but Wittenberg used a 23-2 advantage in free throws during the second half to rally for a North Coast Athletic Conference win over the Bishops on Wednesday at Branch Rickey Arena.

After Wittenberg's Levi Boettcher hit a 3-pointer to tie the score at 13, Ohio Wesleyan took the lead with an 8-2 run that included 3-pointers by Carlson and junior wing Jack Clement (Bellefontaine), along with a Clement jumper.  When sophomore wing Tony Carter (Cleveland/Parma Heights Holy Name) connected from long range at the 8:57 mark of the first half, the Bishops had their biggest lead of the game at 26-19.

Ohio Wesleyan led, 35-30, at the break and moved the lead back to 7 when Clement opened the second-half scoring with a lay-in.

The Tigers scored the next 9 points of the game, with Harrison Gough hitting a pair of jumpers and setting up another score, and Boettcher converted a 3-point play for a 39-37 Wittenberg lead with 16:21 left in regulation time.

Senior guard Curtis White (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) drained a 3-pointer for a 53-49 Bishop lead midway through the half, but the visitors scored the next 9 points as Landon Martin contributed a pair of free throws and a pair of baskets from the lane, and Gough capped the run with a lay-in that made it 58-53 with 7:18 to go.

The Bishops remained within striking distance, pulling within a single marker on a pair of occasions.  Junior post Grant Spicer (Cincinnati/Lakota East) scored to make it a 68-67 game with 3:25 to play, but Boettcher answered with a pair of free throws and Trey Killens drove for a lay-in to push the lead back to 5 points.

Clement responded with a 3-pointer to pull Ohio Wesleyan within 72-70, but Boettcher connected from long range on Wittenberg's ensuing possession, and the Tigers added a pair of free throws during the final minute.

Clement led the Bishops with 17 points and 5 assists.  Carlson finished with 15 points, Carter scored 13 points, and Spicer added 11 points, with all 3 players sharing the team lead with 7 rebounds.

Boettcher had 24 points for Wittenberg.

Box Score