Scots Charge Back to No Avail in 55-64 Loss to Mt. Union

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster women's basketball team battled back from a 12-point deficit to take a lead in the second half, but Mt. Union College steadily pulled away down the stretch to notch a 64-55 win over the Fighting Scots in the championship game of the Nan Nichols Classic at Timken Gymnasium on Sunday.

The Purple Raiders (3-0) raced out to a commanding 12-point lead early in the second half when Tessa Pahovey scored eight-consecutive points, culminating in a three-point play with 15:35 remaining that put her squad ahead 40-28. With its back against the wall, Wooster went on a 14-0 run over the next four minutes of action that saw five different Scots contribute points, highlighted by 3-pointers from Taylor Keegan and Keshia Butler.

With momentum on their side, and a 42-40 lead, the Scots (1-2) shot 1-of-6 from the field over the next three minutes and Mt. Union pulled ahead 50-44 with just over eight minutes remaining in the game. Wooster mounted a quick comeback when Keegan was fouled while draining another 3-ball and then made the ensuing free throw to cut the deficit to 48-50. That was as close as the Scots got to regaining the lead, as the Purple Raiders went on a 14-7 run over the final seven minutes that propelled them to a nine-point victory.

Mt. Union held a four-point lead in the first half, which was the biggest lead before the break, in what was a back and forth battle during the early goings. Wooster led Mt. Union 11-3 in second chance points in the first half, which was sparked by Kaitlin Krister's eight points before the break, including a put back following an offensive rebound that put the Scots ahead 15-12. Krister finished the game with 16 points, eight boards, and three blocks, which helped earn her a spot on the all-tournament team.

Also receiving an all-tournament nod was Kym Wenz, who was held in check early on, but finished the game with 11 points, three assists, and two steals in a game-high 36 minutes. For Mt. Union, Pahovey was named the tournament MVP, as she racked up 24 points over the weekend, including a team-high 14 in the win over Wooster. Amanda Rose was named the defensive MVP, and Lauren Forquer also earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

Earlier on Sunday in consolation action, Notre Dame College (2-1) defeated Franciscan University of Steubenville (0-3) 84-33. Both teams had a player named to the all-tournament team, as Notre Dame's Tracy Payne and Franciscan's Cara Mitchell rounded out the squad.

The Scots will hit the road this Saturday when they travel to Cleveland, Ohio to visit Case Western Reserve University (2-2) at 3 p.m.