Despite the early season matchup, there was a sense of urgency in the air Wednesday night as Wabash and Wittenberg geared up for a crucial North Coast Athletic Conference battle in Crawfordsville. The Little Giants dropped their conference opener by a score of 74-64.
 
Wittenberg outscored Wabash 27-7 over the final 12:45 to erase a 10-point Little Giants' lead to head home with the victory.
 
Freshman Johnny Jager led the Little Giants in all major categories with 22 points, five rebounds, and six assists.
 
Fouls and turnovers plagued Wabash early and often, hindering the ability to play its brand of basketball. The Little Giants committed 14 turnovers leading to 18 points for Wittenberg.
 
Senior Daniel Purvlicis entered Wednesday's matchup averaging 18 points and 8.2 rebounds through the first five games of the season, but was held to eight total points and four rebounds against Wittenberg. After acquiring two early fouls in the first five minutes, the reigning NCAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week sat on the bench for the majority of the first half. His lack of minutes throughout the game hindered the Little Giants' offensive scheme as they were unable to work through the post to manufacture points.
 
Wabash had to find offense in other places, with the burden falling largely on younger players.
 
"We are asking so much of so many young guys," head coach Kyle Brumett said. "Johnny [Jager] bailed us out in the first half when our older guys were in trouble."
 
It was definitely a rookie-dominated night for the Little Giants as freshman Duncan Roy also displayed his high ceiling with ten points and five rebounds.
 
"We had great play from Duncan," Brumett said. "He was thrown into the starting lineup because of an injury-hampered Zack Patton and really stepped up tonight and made some big shots for us."
 
The inability to rebound was very uncharacteristic for the Little Giants as Wabash had to rely on younger guys once again to take the rebounding responsibilities. Both Jager and Roy led the team in that category with Logan White, another freshman, finished right behind them with four boards. Wittenberg outrebounded Wabash 38-29 overall. The Tigers also controlled the area around the basket on offense, outscoring Wabash 40-16 inside the lane.
 
The first half of the contest was foul-laden, with Wabash accumulating five fouls within the first five minutes of the game, growing to ten fouls with eight minutes remaining in the period. Wittenberg took advantage of the whistles by shooting 24-of-38 from the free throw line.
 
The momentum shifted back and forth along with the lead throughout the game. Little Giants had to deal with a veteran Wittenberg team. Time and time again, the Wittenberg seniors and juniors drove to the rim and challenged the young Little Giants.
 
Junior Jaelin Williams led the visiting Tigers (5-1, 2-0 NCAC) with 23 points. Fellow junior Cody Phillippi added ten points.
 
Wabash (4-2, 0-1 NCAC) will regroup for a Saturday road contest at Oberlin College. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.