Nathan Balch attempts a drive to the hoop during Saturday night's action.

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster outscored Wittenberg University by 12 points over the final 10 minutes of Saturday night's rivalry game at a near-capacity Timken Gymnasium, but it was much too late as the Tigers had built too big of a lead to overcome and the visitors left with a 67-56 victory.

With Wooster having already clinched the North Coast Athletic Conference championship outright, there was not as much on the line as usual in this match-up, however, the Fighting Scots' 13-game win streak came to a screeching halt and they'll likely fall from their No. 1 spot in the NCAA Div. III Great Lakes Region when a new set of rankings come out next week.

Wittenberg (18-5, 10-4 NCAC), which remains in a three-way tie for second in the league standings, led from wire-to-wire. About midway through the opening half, the Tigers constructed an 11-3 stretch for their first double-digit advantage at 29-19.

Wooster, which also is now 18-5 overall, scored the next two baskets to pull within six (29-23) at the 5:30 mark, but the Scots' offense was shutout the rest of the half. While Wooster was going 0-for-6 from the field and committing five turnovers, Wittenberg scored eight points for a 37-23 cushion at the break.

The Tigers extended their lead into the 20s early in the second half, pushing it out to as much as 23 (58-35) at the midway point.

Senior point guard Brandon Johnson tried to bring the Scots back with eight quick points, including a couple of 3-pointers, and an Ian Franks jumper made it 59-47, still with almost 5:00 to play.

Wooster did not get any closer, though, until a Mike Evans' 3-pointer at the 1:23 mark (65-54). Wittenberg then made a couple of free throws to seal the win.

The Scots actually shot slightly better from the field – 45.8 percent (22-for-48) to 44.6 percent (25-for-56) – and outrebounded the Tigers 33-28, but were done in by 18 turnovers, compared to seven for the Tigers.

Bryan Wickliffe of Wooster was the game's top scorer with 15 points and rebounder with 13, while reserve Justin Warnes provided the Scots a lift at times with nine points.

Wittenberg had a very balanced attack with four of its players recording 10 points – Michael Cooper, Josh McKee, Mark Snyder, and Chris Sullivan.

Wooster will look to put this game behind it and start a new winning streak on Wednesday when Ohio Wesleyan University (11-12, 8-6 NCAC) visits for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.