Wingen Breaks Wooster’s Career Blocks Record in Loss to OWU

Jessica Wingen recorded four blocked shots to move into first place on The College of Wooster's all-time list with 159, but the Fighting Scots were unable to notch a win along with it, as Ohio Wesleyan University prevailed 76-62 on Wednesday evening in a North Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball match-up at Delaware, Ohio.

Wingen made her record-breaking block at a key moment early in the second half, as she sent away an Ohio Wesleyan (5-13, 4-5 NCAC) shot that the Scots (6-12, 1-8 NCAC) were able to rebound, and then Lauren Hancher scored on that possession with a lay-up to give Wooster its first lead of the game at 42-40.

The Bishops tied the game moments later, but Karley Walker responded with a 3-pointer to put Wooster ahead 45-42. Then, with the score again knotted up (45-45), Walker drained another 3-pointer, and Hancher took a defensive rebound coast-to-coast for a lay-in that gave the Scots a five-point cushion (50-45) with about 11 minutes to go in the half.

Ohio Wesleyan scored the game's next nine points to regain control at 54-50, but Nisa Usman scored with a put-back to make it a one-possession game (54-52).

The Scots eventually constructed an 8-2 scoring run that ended with Suvi Puripattarapan stealing the ball and slashing to the hoop for a fast-break basket that tied the game 60-60 with about three minutes left in regulation.

Two quick 3-pointers by the Bishops put them ahead by six (66-60), and then the Scots were forced to foul and send Ohio Wesleyan to the free throw line, where Sarah McQuade scored 10 of her game-high 26 points over the game's final 1:25 to seal the outcome.

Wingen led Wooster with 15 points – her 11th game with 15 or more this season – but it was her four blocked shots that put her in the record books. Wingen now has blocked 159 shots in her career, which surpasses Kristin Rice (99-03) by one block (158), and she still has at least seven more games to play this season to add to her total.

The Scots had four players reach double-figures in scoring in all, as Hancher and Puripattarapan scored matching 11's, and Maura Hall added 10 points to go along with seven rebounds.

Wooster will look for better results when it returns home to host Denison University (9-8, 4-4 NCAC) on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.