Case Western Reserve Holds Wooster's Offense in Check

Case Western Reserve University built a considerable lead early in the contest and then closed out the game with a 30-11 scoring run to dismiss any chance for a College of Wooster comeback, as the Spartans stormed past the Fighting Scots 68-37 in a non-conference women's basketball match-up Saturday afternoon at Cleveland, Ohio.

Suvi Puripattarapan opened the game with a lay-up to give Wooster (1-6) a 2-0 advantage, but that was the last time the Scots held a lead, as Case Western Reserve (6-3) responded with 11 unanswered points to build an 11-2 cushion.

The Spartans eventually got out in front 28-10 with less than five minutes remaining in the first half, but then Wooster put together its best offensive stretch of the game. Mallory Band drained a jumper and Puripattarapan sunk a 3-pointer to pull the Scots within 28-15. Moments later, Samantha Sulzer scored a basket in the paint and Karley Walker hit her own 3-pointer to make it a 12-point game (32-20) at the break.

Wooster drew within 10 (32-22) with a pair of Jessica Wingen free throws to start the second half, but that was as close as it would get to cutting into its deficit. Following a Sulzer layup that made it 38-26 with 15:55 remaining, Case Western Reserve went on its previously mentioned 30-11 scoring run as part of its 48.1 percent shooting in the half to race away to victory.

Sulzer led the team with a career-high 15 points (7-for-13), which marked her third-consecutive game scoring in double figures. Walker (7), Maura Hall (6), and Puripattarapan (5) were the next scorers in line, while Wingen was held to an uncharacteristic two points.

For Case Western Reserve, Evy Iacono paved the way with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, while Erin Hollinger added eight points and five steals.

Next, the Scots will continue its stretch of non-conference away games as it visits Albion College Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.