Suvi Puripattarapan

WOOSTER, Ohio – Behind a career-high 17 points from Suvi Puripattarapan, The College of Wooster women's basketball team pulled away from University of Northwestern Ohio down the stretch to notch a 78-70 victory Saturday afternoon during the Nan Nichols Classic at Timken Gymnasium.

There were several lopsided scoring runs throughout the game, as Wooster (1-1) led 24-14 in the first half, but was later down by seven points (46-39) with 12:44 remaining in regulation.

At that juncture, the Scots began to battle back, and eventually Sarah Abboud connected on a deep 3-pointer that cut the deficit to three (49-46). Moments later, Samantha Sulzer pulled down a defensive rebound, ran the length of the floor, and then delivered a bounce pass to Ashley Lindemann under the hoop that pulled them within one (49-48).

On the very next possession, Abboud dished to Sulzer on the baseline, and the latter drained a jumper to put Wooster in front 50-49. The Scots managed to stay ahead by one (54-53) when Puripattarapan pumped faked her defender and drove to the hoop for a left handed lay in.

Northwestern Ohio (0-6) regained the lead one last time at 55-54, but then the Scots began to distance themselves with a 16-7 scoring run that included 3-pointers from Lindemann, Puripattarapan, and two from Abboud. Finally, Jessica Wingen made some key rebounds and scored six of Wooster's last 10 points in the closing two minutes of play to seal the victory.

Puripattarapan led Wooster with 17 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and four assists. Abboud also recorded a career-high with 16 points, while Karley Walker was next in line with 13. Also of note, Wingen posted her second straight double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds), and Sulzer was right there with her (9 points, 9 rebounds).

Northwestern Ohio was led by Amanada Francis's 21 points and seven rebounds.

Earlier during the Nan Nichols Classic, Muskingum University dropped Earlham College 57-42, thanks in large part to a big day from Amanda Dobbins (18 points, 16 rebounds).

Wooster will be back in action tomorrow when they host Muskingum at 1 p.m.