Story By: Ryan Maurer
E-Mail: rmaurer@wittenberg.edu

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers of 2004-05 did something four of their five predecessors could not - win the Kiwanis-Wittenberg Holiday Classic championship. The Tigers fought off a strong challenge from the Hanover College Panthers, winning 66-60 to capture the program's first title of their own in-season tourney since 2001 and just their second title in the last six years.

The Tigers moved back to the .500 mark for the first time since the first weekend of the season at 5-5 overall, heading into their final nonconference game against DePauw on Monday, Jan. 3. Hanover dropped to 7-4 overall and lost to the Tigers for the second time in two all-time meetings.

Wittenberg led almost the entire game, as a jumper by freshman post Katie Gregorevich at the 10:58 mark of the first half actually gave the Tigers a lead they would never relinquish, despite almost constant pressure. Hanover closed to within two points at 62-60 with 1:47 remaining on two free throws by Angela Newkirk. However, Wittenberg held on as freshman post Ali Rohlfs hit a big lay-up with 21 seconds left and then Tournament MVP, senior guard Emilie Schmid, blocked a late three-pointer to preserve the win.

Schmid finished with the first double-double of her career with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Rohlfs, who also made the all-tournament team, led all scorers with 15 points. Gregorevich added eight points and two assists in 17 minutes off the bench.

Hanover placed two players on the all-tournament in Corey Roach, who had a double-double of her own with 10 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game, and Laura Little, who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds after a big semifinal game.