Wittenberg wins men's hoops opener

Billed by his coach as one of the team’s most improved players, senior guard Chris Sullivan leads Tigers rout with 19 points

Chris Sullivan (10) of Wittenberg is guarded by Tevann Jones (22) of the University of Cincinnati-Clermont on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Pam Evans Smith Arena. Wittenberg won the game 91-64.  Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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Photos: Wittenberg men's basketball
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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 8:19 AM Wednesday, November 18, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Chris Sullivan lived up to coach Bill Brown’s billing in game one. The Wittenberg senior guard, in his second year with the program, stood out in the preseason, and Brown called him one of the team’s most improved players.

Then Sullivan went out and led the Tigers in scoring in their season opener, tallying 19 in a 91-64 over the University of Cincinnati’s Clermont College on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Pam Evans Smith Arena.

“We changed the offense around a little bit from last year to this year, and it’s the same offense I ran in high school,” Sullivan said. “I was definitely game for it. Just catching screens around the baseline and along the top, a lot more in-rhythm shots, as opposed to last year, kind of sitting and waiting for them.

“It’s a little different, more up and down. It gets me open shots. I’m ready for them.”

Sullivan made 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-7 from 3-point range.

“He’s been like this all year long,” said Brown, referring to Sullivan’s play in practice and the two scrimmages. “Very seldom is it one thing. It’s a combination of things. One thing is us being a little freer offensively for the perimeter guys. Instead of him throwing the ball inside as we always have and waiting for the inside-out catch, he’s really good at moving without the ball.

“I just think that’s really helped his decision-making. It’s helped him step into the shot.”

Sullivan wasn’t the only one on the mark in the opener.

In his first game since the 2007-08 season, fifth-year senior guard Gregg Hill drained his first 3-pointer in the opening minute. Hill finished with 16 points and five rebounds and made 4-of-8 3-pointers. He also threw an alley-oop pass to Clayton Black for a dunk.

“He’s a load off my shoulders,” Sullivan said. “A lot of the defenses will focus on him and leave me wide open.”

Sophomore forward Jacob Weide also shot 50 percent from the field, scoring a career-high 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Weide’s season high as a freshman was five points, and he scored 20 points all season.

Guard David Nowicki had a career-high eight assists to go with seven points and a team-high seven rebounds.

The Tigers return to action Friday versus Catholic University at the Gettysburg College (Pa.) Tip-Off Tournament. A trip to the famous Civil War battlefield is planned, but Brown said he will not make his players memorize the Gettysburg Address.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351or djablonski@coxohio.com.

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