Wooster Competitive Late with Archrival Wittenberg, Falls in Back-and-Forth Tilt

WOOSTER, Ohio - The College of Wooster women's basketball team led as late as at the 3:48 mark in the fourth period, but a 3-pointer by archrival Wittenberg University sparked the Tigers to a late run, culminating in a 52-47 Wittenberg win in a back-and-forth contest on Saturday afternoon at Timken Gymnasium in Wooster, Ohio.

Wooster (6-17, 2-12 North Coast Athletic Conference) regained the lead at the 4:13 mark of the fourth period on a 3-pointer from first-year Anna Gibbs that made it a 44-41 contest. Wittenberg (7-14, 6-8 NCAC) countered with a 9-0 clip, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Becca Ziska, putting the Tigers up for good at 46-44. The lead change marked the ninth lead change of the game. Additionally, the score was tied on six occasions.

Gibbs later made it a one-possession game with a deep 3-pointer with 12 ticks left, that made it a 50-47 count. The Tigers were automatic down the stretch at the charity stripe, making all six of their attempts in the final 28 seconds, including four from Riley McDonald.

Wooster claimed its first lead of the afternoon at the 5:15 mark of the second period, on a jumper from first-year Christina Vukovich. The forward provided valuable minutes off of the bench, just missing on a double-double with 12 rebounds and eight points. She also set a new career-high with five blocks – the most by a Scot in a game this year. Additionally, her 12 rebounds were the second-most by a Wooster player this year, trailing her 14 collected against Oberlin College on Dec. 9, 2015.

Senior dual-sport standout Lauren Hancher made program history at the 5:38 mark of the third period. Hancher's jumper, which at the time made it a 28-27 contest in favor of Wooster, moved Hancher into the top-10 single-season field goal makes list for the third straight season. With the milestone, she is the only player in school history to currently appear on this list for three different seasons.

On Hancher's next basket – a 3-pointer that put Wooster up 37-36 with 8:43 left in the game – moved Hancher into the top-10 scoring list for the second straight year. Hancher joins W Association Hall of Famers Katie Montague, Lisa Panepento, and Wooster great Kym Wenz as the only repeat names on the single-season top-10 scoring list.

Also of note, Gibbs cracked the top 10 for free throw makes in the season. For the game, the first-year went 4-for-6 at the charity stripe and now has 87 makes on the season (tied for eighth). The guard finished with a game-high 12 points.

Taylore Bundy led Wittenberg with 10 points, while McDonald had an all-around effort with 10 rebounds and eight points.

Wooster remains at home with a 7:30 p.m. tilt against Allegheny College (12-11, 7-7 NCAC) on Wednesday. The game is Wooster's "Play 4Kay" night, and fans are encouraged to wear pink attire in support of cancer awareness.