Even exhibition games between storied rivals have plenty of excitement and come down to the wire.

On Friday evening, it was Wittenberg University getting the better of The College of Wooster's men's basketball team 70-67. In the interest of enhancing the overall student-athlete experience, the coaches at both institutions mutually agreed to classify Friday and Saturday's contests as exhibition games, as permissible under NCAA policies. This declaration granted both programs opportunities to make alterations to the format of the exhibition contests, giving their players a more meaningful experience, in particular as it relates to playing time.

Wooster had a chance to tie the game at the end of regulation, getting possession back with 1.8 seconds remaining, but the Fighting Scots' lengthy entry pass went inside the three-point arc, so a game-tying chance never materialized. Moments earlier, sophomore transfer Tayler McNeal was fouled on a three-point try, and calmly sank all three free throws to pull Wooster within 69-67. Wittenberg's Ridge Young left the door open for Wooster by missing his first free throw at the other end.

Freshman Carter Warstler made his presence felt in one of small college basketball's greatest rivalries with a late steal.

Freshman Carter Warstler left his mark late in the game with a steal with just north of minute to go, and Wooster trailing by four, but the Scots were unable to cash in.

Wittenberg raced out to an 11-3 lead just 3:25 into the contest, with Wooster catching fire just past the first half's midpoint. Junior Brandon Styers' driving layup cut Wooster's deficit to 20-16 with 9:39 to go, and classmate Najee Hardaway was on point from range two possessions later.

Freshman Elijah Meredith's three ball gave Wooster its first lead at 22-20 with 6:31 to go in the opening stanza, and senior Keonn Scott followed suit with a three-ball that bumped the Scots' lead up to five. Freshman Mitchell Heilman sent Wooster into halftime with a 34-33 lead, courtesy of a three ball with 49 ticks left.

Scott's team-high 14 points were backed by McNeal's 13, freshman Aaron Whitehead's 11, and Styers' 10. Hardaway was the high man in the rebounding department with six, and his three assists led the way for the Scots.

Wooster shot 33.8 percent (24-of-71) from the floor, was 10-of-34 from beyond the arc, and went 9-of-13 at the charity stripe. The Scots kept the miscues in check with 11 turnovers.

James Johnson and Young scored 12 points apiece for Wittenberg, which also had a double-double from Justin Shipman-Curtis (11 rebounds, 10 points).

Wittenberg shot 45.3 percent (24-of-53) from the floor, was 9-of-22 from beyond the arc, and went 13-of-18 on free throws. The Tigers had 17 turnovers.

Of note, the exhibition game marked the first contest for the Scots since bowing out of the 2020 NCAA Div. III Championships, and it marked Doug Cline's first contest as head coach.

The two teams are set to meet at Wittenberg's Pam Evans Smith Arena in another exhibition contest on Saturday, February 5 at 4 p.m.