Wooster Unable to Overcome Allegheny's Timely 3-Point Shooting

WOOSTER, Ohio - The College of Wooster women's basketball team was within four points at halftime, but timely 3-point shooting from visiting Allegheny College twice enabled the Gators to gain separate from the Fighting Scots, and ultimately win 85-59, on Wednesday evening at Timken Gymnasium.

Allegheny (13-11, 8-7 North Coast Athletic Conference), who led wire-to-wire, made 11 3-pointers on the night, including four in the first period to open up a 20-12 advantage.

Wooster (6-18, 2-13 NCAC) first-year Anna Gibbs sparked the second period rally, with a trifecta of her own off the assist from senior Lauren Hancher at the first period buzzer.

Senior Sydney Grier connected on a 3-pointer at the 5:30 mark of the second period, making it a 21-19 contest. The field goal came as part of a 10-1 run that started with Gibbs' first-period buzzer-beater.

Allegheny's Delaney Arbore answered right back with a trifecta of her own 11 ticks later pushing the Gators' lead back to five. Allegheny held a 5-point edge at five different points down the stretch of the first half, but Wooster countered with points of its own each time.

First, Hancher connected on a jumper to make it 24-21 with 4:29 left in the contest. Next first-year Shar Hankerson sank a free throw, which at the time made it a 26-22 count. At the 2:50 mark, Gibbs sank a pair at the charity stripe to cut the deficit back to three at 27-24. Moments later, Hancher answered an Allegheny field goal with one of her own. Finally, a free throw from sophomore Katie Mandych was paired with another Hancher field goal to make it a 31-29 contest with 55 ticks left in the second period.

Later, with 16 seconds left in the half, junior Rachel Collins made it a two-point tilt again at 33-31.

Allegheny strung together a 13-0 clip midway through the third period, to open up a double-digit advantage for the duration. The Gators were aided by a tri of 3-pointers from three different players.

Wooster had an impressive 9-0 run in the fourth period. Hancher started the stretch with a pullup jumper that was followed by a baseline connection from Collins. Grier knocked in her second 3-pointer of the contest, while a pair of throws at the charity stripe from Hancher closing out the run.

Hancher had a well-rounded outing with game-highs in points (23), rebounds (7), and assists (4).

Allegheny's Jessica Mrdjenovich led four players in double-figures with 15 points.

Wooster closes out its season with a 1 p.m. contest against Kenyon College (16-8, 10-5 NCAC) on Saturday. Prior to the game the Scots will have a special recognition for Grier and Hancher, the program's two seniors.