Keegan Led Comeback Bid Falls Short Against OWU

WOOSTER, Ohio – Taylor Keegan scored a career and game-high 20 points, and The College of Wooster raced back from 16 down to pull within four (63-59) inside the game's final minute, but Ohio Wesleyan University held on and won 66-59 Saturday afternoon in a North Coast Athletic Conference tilt, and both team's regular season finale, at Timken Gymnasium.

The Scots (3-21, 1-13 NCAC) were in trouble in the early goings, as they shot just 0-for-4 and turned the ball over five times in the opening four minutes, allowing the Bishops (14-11, 10-4 NCAC) to construct a 14-0 lead. Ashley Lindemann eventually put Wooster on the scoreboard with a jumper, and that sparked a sudden 17-4 scoring run, which included three Keegan 3-pointers. An easy layup by Samantha Sulzer capped off the run and drew Wooster within two (19-17).

Ohio Wesleyan pushed its lead back up to as much as eight (25-17), but Wooster pulled within six (33-27) at the break, when Karley Walker dished to Kristen Schwartz for a jumper that just beat the buzzer signifying halftime.

Just like they started the first half on a run, the Bishops came out in the second half by scoring seven unanswered points to take a 15-point lead (42-27). The Scots remained down by double-digits until there was just under four minutes remaining in regulation, when Keegan hit another 3-pointer which made it an eight-point game (61-53).

Moments later, Wesleyan's Kayla Gordon drew a foul and made a pair of free throws to push Wooster further at bay, but Keegan responded with her fifth and final 3-ball to pull within seven (63-56). Jessica Wingen earned her own foul shots moments later, making the first and missing the second, but the Scots rebound the missed shot and Wingen scored to make it 63-59 inside the final minute.

Ohio Wesleyan began to play keep away, forcing Wooster to foul in the closing moments, and the Bishops then went 3-for-4 at the foul line and shut down the Scots offense to seal the victory.

Leading Wooster was Keegan, who fittingly recorded her career-high 20 points after being honored as the team's lone senior before tipoff. Sulzer recorded eight points and six rebounds, while Wingen and Schwartz added seven tallies apiece. As a team, the Scots tied a season-low with just 14 turnovers.

For the Bishops, Gordon paced the team with 17 points and six boards, while Pam Quigney added 14 points.

Next up, Wooster will visit nationally-ranked Denison University (25-0, 14-0 NCAC)  in the quarterfinals of the NCAC Tournament on Tuesday evening.