Wooster Holds Fourth-Ranked DePauw in Check in Season Finale

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster women's basketball team limited fourth-ranked DePauw University to its lowest scoring-output against any North Coast Athletic Conference opponent this season, but the Tigers overcame a stingy defensive effort by the Fighting Scots to win 51-31 in a low-scoring affair Saturday afternoon at Timken Gymnasium.

It was apparent early on that the Scots (3-21, 2-14 NCAC) were up for the challenge of facing one of NCAA Div. III's best teams, as they forced the Tigers (23-1, 16-0 NCAC) into just 2-of-13 shooting from the field to begin the contest.

The Scots had a hard time generating offense as well to start the first half, and eventually fell behind 14-5 when Emma Ondik drained a 3-pointer about eight minutes into the action. Both teams went scoreless over the next four minutes, and during that stretch, Suvi Puripattarapan was impressive defensively racking up four steals. Finally, Jessica Wingen knocked down a jumper with 8:10 remaining in the half to keep the deficit manageable at 14-7.

DePauw threatened to pull away near halftime, until Karley Walker hit a pair of midrange jumpers to keep Wooster within reach (22-11) at the break.

In the second half, the Tigers slowly extended their lead, but the Scots never appeared to be out of contention. With around 11 minutes remaining in the contest, Samantha Sulzer and Puripattarapan both sunk baskets to pull Wooster to 13-points down (37-24). The Scots also held DePauw without a field goal for nearly six minutes late in the half, before the Tigers eventually won by a 20-point margin (51-31).

Overall, the Tigers were held to their second-lowest point total of the season. The only time they were held to fewer than 51 points was back in November when they scored just 47 points in their only loss of the year. Equally as impressive, Wooster limited DePauw to its worst field-goal percentage of the season (.322).

Statistically, Wingen paced Wooster with nine points and six rebounds, while Walker was next in line with seven points. Sulzer wrapped up her career with a six-point, four-rebound effort, and fellow senior Sarah Abboud recorded two rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Also noteworthy, Ashley Lindemann played a spirited game on the defensive end and was a key in holding DePauw in check throughout the afternoon.

For the Tigers, Ali Ross and Alex Gasaway each totaled matching 12's to lead all scorers.