Wooster Falls to Ohio Wesleyan 60-70 in NCAC Clash

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster women's basketball team's long ball barrage and aggressive rebounding had North Coast Athletic Conference leading Ohio Wesleyan University reeling at times Tuesday night, but the Battling Bishops went on a late run to quiet the Fighting Scots and pickup a 70-60 win at Timken Gymnasium.

The Scots (3-9, 0-3 NCAC) drained nine 3-pointers on the night, including three-consecutive ones to open the game, but the Bishops (8-4, 3-0 NCAC) absorbed the onslaught and tied the game 11-11 on a Pam Quigney 3-ball six minutes into the action. Kym Wenz and Taylor Keegan knocked down their own 3-pointers minutes later, and Kristen Schwartz connected in the paint to give Wooster its biggest lead (23-19) with 4:52 remaining before the break.

The Bishop shooters then knocked down three unanswered baskets, and Kayla Gordon buried a 3-pointer with seconds on the clock to wrap up a 10-3 Ohio Wesleyan run that resulted in a three-point lead (29-26) at the half.

Kaitlin Krister, who pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, scored the Scots initial six points to open the second half, and an ensuing Samantha Justice jumper tied the game 34-34. Wooster eventually took a one-point lead, but then Ohio Wesleyan went to work and built a six-point cushion (47-41) after Lauren Gentene connected from behind the arc with 11:52 remaining in the game.

Wooster battled back, as Keegan hit her third 3-ball of the game, and Jessica Wingen pulled down an offensive rebound and scored under the basket, to bring the Scots within one (46-47). From there Wooster struggled with turnovers and Ohio Wesleyan went on a 9-1 run pushing its lead to 56-47 with 6:33 on the clock.

A Colleen Goodwillie 3-pointer brought the Scots within six (55-61) at the 3:56 mark, but the Bishops connected on shots when they needed them and controlled the ball down the stretch to seal the win.

The teams combine to hit 18 3-pointers in the game, with the Scots shooting a season-best 52.9 percent (9-of-17) from downtown. Wooster held Ohio Wesleyan to under 30 percent shooting in the opening period, but the Bishops rallied to shoot over 55 percent after the break.

Wenz, who came in riding a three-game streak in which she had scored 20 or more points, had an uncharacteristic shooting night (3-of-15) and finished with 11 points and seven boards. Keegan led the Scots with 14 points, which included a season-high four 3-pointers, and added two assists and a steal.

Justice also reached double-digits with 11 points, and Schwartz added six points, five rebounds, and two blocks in a solid effort off the bench.

Tyler Cordell, who scored a game-high 21 points and added seven assists, led Ohio Wesleyan's charge, while Quigney racked up 20 points and three steals in the win.

The Scots will once again be looking for their first conference win of the season when they travel to Denison University (10-1, 2-0 NCAC) Friday night at 7:30 p.m.