Second-Half Push, Fueled by Long-Range Shooting, Lifts Yeowomen Over Scots

Despite trailing by just two possessions midway through the third period, an 11-0 Oberlin College run over a 5:23 span in the third period sparked a late second-half drive that helped propel the Yeowomen women's basketball team over The College of Wooster by a final count of 68-47 on Wednesday evening at Philips Gymnasium at Oberlin, Ohio.

Oberlin (2-4, 2-0 North Coast Athletic Conference) jumped out to a double-digit lead just over five minutes into the game as Alex Stipano connected from long range to make it a 13-2 Yeowomen advantage at the 4:54 mark.

With just under three minutes remaining in the opening period, junior Katie Mandych got the Fighting Scots (1-4, 0-1 NCAC) back within seven points as she continued to show off her stretch capabilities with a 3-pointer off the assist from sophomore guard Anna Gibbs.

Gibbs led the Scots on the day with 18 points off the bench, including seven in the first half while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. The sophomore also pulled down four boards and tallied two assists.

After a 7-2 Oberlin run to open the second period, Wooster closed the gap before quarter's end, matching Oberlin's run with a 7-0 run of its own as part of a larger 11-2 run, as the Scots trailed 28-23 with 2:16 left in the half.

Down 26-12 midway through the second period, Gibbs connected from long range to spark Wooster's largest run of the day, as the guard followed up with two jumpers coupled with contributions from junior Aki Shurelds and senior Natalie Coschigano to get back within seven deficit after 20 minutes of play as Oberlin took a 30-23 lead into the locker room.

Wooster battled early on in the second half as Gibbs pulled down a defensive rebound and charged the lane, earning two free throw attempts and converting on both to get Wooster back within five at the 7:01 mark.

A 10-0 Oberlin run over a 5:23 in the latter half of the third period, however, propelled the Yeowomen to a 44-32 lead going into the final period.

Three-pointers from Stipano and Sarah Thompson opened Oberlin's fourth-period scoring, as the Yeowomen cushioned their lead with four fourth-quarter 3-pointers in all while the Scots were held off from materializing any major runs for the remainder of the game.

The Scots forced 18 turnovers and came away with nine steals on the day, led by first-years Akwia Tilton and Cat Fiorito, who each had two. Three Wooster players finished with five points, including Fiorito, who came down with a team-high eight rebounds.

Wooster returns to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. as the Scots play host to non-conference opponent Case Western Reserve University (5-2) at Timken Gymnasium.