For many Wittenberg fans, hearing the name Bowen on Saturday might have brought back memories.

Eight seasons ago, Brett Bowen closed out his Wittenberg career as a key sub on a star-studded team that went 25-4. A year later, in 2005-06, Brett’s brother Billy wrapped up his career by appearing in all 34 games for the team that lost in the national championship game.

In the crowd in Virginia, watching as the Tigers lost the title 59-56 to Virginia Wesleyan on a last-second 3-pointer, was the youngest of four Bowen brothers, Ben.

“It was amazing to go there, to get that experience,” Ben said. “But that last shot falling in, the look on my brother’s face, it was almost too much.

It was never a given that Ben would end up at Wittenberg, but it’s not a surprise that he did. The 6-foot-1 sophomore guard from Hamilton Heights High School in Arcadia, Ind., has appeared in three games this season and hit a 3-pointer early in the 67-63 victory over Allegheny last Saturday. The Tigers, who host Ohio Christian at 3 p.m. today, improved to 5-2 with that victory.

“I understand you’ve got to wait your turn,” Bowen said. “You’ve got to put your time in before you get out there. I love it here so far.”

The only Bowen brother not to go to Wittenberg was the oldest, Brian, now 33. He played at Hanover where their dad, Bill Bowen, played.

“It was a big thing early when I started going to high school,” Ben said. “Was I going to go to Hanover or Wittenberg?”

Ben said he went to almost every one of his brothers’ games and, of course, remembers the Wooster games the best. His knowledge of Wittenberg made the difference when he had to choose a college.

“I knew this area. I knew where everything was,” he said. “I knew basically how this place runs, especially basketball. When coach (Bill) Brown started giving me a call, it definitely sparked my interest, but I always had an eye out for Witt.”

Ben didn’t get to play basketball much with his brothers growing up because they were so much older. He said his dad, who was the longtime coach at Hamilton Heights, had the biggest influence on him.

“It was more or less my dad because those guys were always doing their own thing,” Ben said. “By the time I was able to get the ball to the hoop, they were too old to hang out with me.”