Victory Slips Through Scots’ Grasp as They Fall to Ladies 77-74

GAMBIER, Ohio – The College of Wooster women's basketball team found themselves in control for the majority of Wednesday's contest against Kenyon College, but a late run and a 3-pointer with seconds remaining gave the Ladies a 77-74 win in North Coast Athletic Conference play.

Kenyon's Paige Matijasich got open and connected on a 3-pointer from the baseline in the final seconds to deny Wooster's first victory over Kenyon since 2009 and their first win in Gambier since 2003. Matijasich tied for a game-high 27 points.

Prior, Wooster sophomore Masani Francis looked to force overtime. She hit a 3-pointer of her own with 18 seconds remaining to cut Kenyon's lead to two. After Wooster's press forced a turnover, Francis then drove down the lane and scored a layup.

Yet, that scenario seemed implausible as Wooster controlled the game for the first three quarters. Wooster then used a 6-0 run in the fourth to hold its biggest lead of the game at 67-57.

However, that sparked a 9-0 from the Ladies, and one that would turn into a 20-7 run in the final six minutes.

Wooster broke the 9-0 run after a layup from Maria Janasko and the assist from Cat Fiorito.

Janasko, who earned NCAC Player of the Week honors last week, led the Scots and tied for a game-high 27 points. She was 8-for-13 from the floor and 11-for-13 from the foul line.

Kenyon took a 70-69 lead with 2:33 left following a floater from inside the key from Ellie Schaub. Wooster struggled offensively as Kenyon grew that lead to five until Francis hit her two big shots in the final 18 seconds.

Francis was 6-of-9 from the floor and finished with 15 points off the bench. A'Janay Nicholson also came off the bench to score 10 points, but she fouled out with 1:57 left in the game. She fell a rebound shy of her first double-double.

Kenyon did not run away with this one even after shooting 56 percent (32-of-57) from the floor. Wooster shot 43 percent (25-of-58).

The Scots took advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Ladies 35-30. They grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, which produced 17 second chance points.

Wooster also forced 20 turnovers and scored 17 points off those turnovers. They shot 74 percent (20-of-27) from the foul line and 22 percent (4-for-18) from deep.

Kenyon moves to 8-13 overall and 5-8 in the NCAC, while Wooster drops to 6-14 overall and 2-9 in conference play. Wooster hosts Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday.