Ohio Wesleyan Builds Early Lead and Upends Wooster 81-61

The College of Wooster women's basketball team had its three-game win streak snapped Friday night, as Ohio Wesleyan University went on a 15-2 run in the opening minutes and never slowed down to overwhelm the Fighting Scots 81-61 in North Coast Athletic Conference action at Delaware, Ohio.

The Scots (10-14, 7-8 NCAC) couldn't make shots in the early goings, as Kristen Schwartz connected on Wooster's only basket during a 1-of-9 cold spell over the initial six minutes that put them in a 15-2 hole. Kaitlin Krister then scored in the paint and made the ensuing free throw to draw the Scots within 10 (5-15), but the Battling Bishops (18-6, 13-2 NCAC) continued to pour on points, and led by as much as 21 (40-19) with 4:46 until the break.

Wooster clawed back into the game by putting together its own 12-2 run to close out the first half, which was fueled by five points from Keshia Butler, to cut Ohio Wesleyan's lead to 42-33.

Kym Wenz scored back-to-back buckets to open the second stanza, and Butler drained a jumper on a Wenz assist moments later that capped off another 12-2 Wooster run, and put the Scots within one (47-48) with 14:21 remaining in the game. The Scots had all the momentum at this point, as they had strung together a 24-4 run over the last 10:25 of action going back to the opening period.

Wooster's offense than went stagnant, and Ohio Wesleyan closed out the game on a 33-14 run, leading by as much as 24, and finishing the contest with a 20-point win margin (81-61). The Bishops made an impact at the free throw line during the second half where they were 12-of-16, while the Scots were just 4-of-7.

Ohio Wesleyan was also dominant from behind the arc, as they drained 8-of-10 3-balls in the first half, and finished 11-of-17 (64.7 percent), which translated to 40 percent of its total scoring output.

Leading Wooster on the stat sheet was Krister, who totaled 11 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and six blocks in an impressive overall effort. Her six blocks were one shy of a career-high, and it also pushed her season total to 55, making her one of only seven players in program history to record 50 or more blocked shots in a season.

Also chipping in was Wenz, who finished an efficient 6-of-8 from the field, racking up 17 points and five boards. Taylor Keegan added six points, five rebounds, and three assists in the setback.

Pacing the Bishops was Kayla Gordon who scored a game-high 25 points, while Tyler Cordell tallied 20 points to go along with a game-high seven assists.

The Scots will wrap up their regular season tomorrow when they visit Earlham College (3-21, 2-13 NCAC) for a 3 p.m. start.