Jalen Goodwin

Jalen Goodwin scored a career-high 18 points on a perfect shooting night and Jake Mays posted the first double-double of his career, paving the way for The College of Wooster's 81-74 victory at Baldwin Wallace University Tuesday night in Berea, Ohio.

The game included eight ties and four lead changes, and the outcome was not determined until Goodwin rebounded a Mays' miss at the free throw line with 15.4 seconds remaining, then after being fouled himself, made both of his attempts from the charity stripe to make it 79-74 for Wooster (2-1). Until that point, it had been a one-possession game for the final 10 minutes of the second half.

Early on, the Fighting Scots' defense held Baldwin Wallace (1-1) scoreless for nearly five full minutes, but they only scored four points themselves for a slim lead. Wooster extended it to seven a couple of times at 11-4 and 14-7, only to see the Yellow Jackets grab the momentum with a 16-4 run.

The Scots, keyed by a 10-0 stretch, finished the half strong, though, and led 37-33 at the break.

During the first five minutes of the second, Wooster was able to build its advantage to 10 (51-41), but then Baldwin Wallace outscored its visitors 23-10 in retaking the lead (64-61).

Evan Pannell used an old-fashioned three-point play to tie it, and after a defensive stop, Xavier Brown did the same for a 67-64 lead, and the Scots never trailed again.

The game was tied three times down the stretch, and with the score 76-74 and time running down, the Yellow Jackets had another chance to tie or take the lead. Their runner in the lane was off the mark, with Mays grabbing the rebound and getting fouled immediately. He swished the first free throw for a three-point cushion and missed the second, but Goodwin was there for the key carom and game-clinching free throws.

Wooster shot an even 50 percent from the field (28-for-56) and from 3-point range (5-for-10), and was a solid 76.9 percent at the free throw line (20-for-26). The Scots also outrebounded Baldwin Wallace 40-27, but 16 turnovers kept the Yellow Jackets in it as well as their 9-for-19 3-point shooting (.474).

Goodwin made all five of his field goal attempts, including four 3-pointers, and all four free throws, giving the sophomore his highest scoring output to date, while Mays' double-double consisted of 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the senior center also contributed two blocked shots.

Joining them in double figures were Brown and Pannell with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Pannell's included an efficient 5-of-6 shooting from the floor.

Baldwin Wallace was paced by Kyle Payne's 14 points.

Next, Wooster begins its quest for the North Coast Athletic Conference championship on Sunday night at Oberlin College (0-2, 0-0 NCAC).