Allegheny Utilizes Big Second Half in 66-45 Victory Over Scots

The College of Wooster cut an Allegheny College five-point halftime advantage (29-24) to two (31-29) with 17:20 left in regulation, but the Gators responded with runs of 15-2 and 14-5 en route to the 66-45 North Coast Athletic Conference victory Thursday night inside the David V. Wise Center in Meadville, Pa. The contest had originally been slated for Wednesday, but was postponed a day to inclement weather.           

Allegheny opened the second half with a lay-up by Emilie Simone, extending its lead to seven (31-24). The Scots responded with a mini 5-0 spurt of their own via a lay-up by Kaitlin Krister and a three-pointer by Meredith Wilson, bringing Wooster back to within two (31-29).

The Scots' momentum was short-lived, however, as the Gators (9-9, 5-4 NCAC) came storming back with their big runs and put the contest out of reach.

Wooster (6-11, 4-4 NCAC) came out determined to steal a road win, turning a 6-6 deadlock into a 12-6 lead on three-straight buckets by Kym Wenz. However, the Gators came storming back, knotting the contest at 16-16 with an 8-4 run. The two teams traded buckets and were tied once again at 22-22, the sixth deadlock of the first 20 minutes, with 3:24 showing on the clock, but Allegheny scored seven of the final 10 points of the opening stanza for a five-point halftime advantage.

After shooting just 35.3 percent (12-of-34), including just 16.7 percent from three-point territory (1-of-6) in the first half, the Gator offense came alive in the second period, hitting 53.1 percent of its attempts (17-of-32) from the field and 3-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc. The Scots were held to just 37.3 percent (19-of-51) shooting for the game, but only 25.8 percent (8-of-31) in the second period after knocking down 55.0 percent (11-of-20) in the opening half.            

Krister and Wenz led Wooster with 12 points apiece, as Krister grabbed a team- and game-best 11 rebounds for her sixth double-double this winter, and Wenz dished out three assists. Additionally, Keshia Butler connected on 4-of-7 shots as part of her eight-point performance.

Allegheny had two players finish the game in double figures. Simone finished with 16 points and, five rebounds, and three assists, while Jill Gregory added 16 points, a game-best four assists, and three rebounds in the victory. Also of note, Britni Mohney and Lauren Donahoe each came off the bench for eight markers.

Wooster will try to get back on track this weekend when Wittenberg University (11-6, 6-3 NCAC) comes to town for a key conference contest. Tip-off inside Timken Gymnasium is slated for 2 p.m.