Witt Uses Late First-Half Surge to Upend Wooster 67-43

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster went back-and-forth with North Coast Athletic Conference rival Wittenberg University during the initial 12 minutes of action, but the Tigers exploded for 17 unanswered points at the end of the first half and eventually went on to a 67-43 victory Saturday afternoon at Timken Gymnasium.

The Scots (3-13, 2-6 NCAC) played well offensively in the game's early goings, which included key 3-pointers by Sarah Abboud and Karley Walker to keep Wooster within striking distance at 14-10. Then moments later, Suvi Puripattarapan and Maura Hall each sunk a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to one (15-14).

The Tigers (8-7, 4-3 NCAC) responded with an Enri Small 3-pointer, but Wooster came right down the court on its next possession and Abboud buried her second 3-ball to keep the Scots within one at 18-17. After another Wittenberg basket, Samantha Sulzer came up with a steal and drove to the hoop, where she drew a foul and buried both free throws to again make it a one-point game (20-19) with 8:29 to go before the break.

It was at the juncture that Wittenberg broke the game open with a unexpected 17-0 scoring run that gave them a 37-21 cushion at half time.

Wittenberg locked in defensively in the second half while continuing to add to its margin on the offensive end. On the day, Wooster shot a season-low 23.1 percent from the field (12-for-52), which included just 4-of-18 on attempts from behind the arc.

Also of note, the Tigers outrebounded the Scots 43-34 and scored 20 points off turnovers.

Sulzer led Wooster with 10 points and nine rebounds, but was just 2-for-11 from the field. Walker, Abboud, and Jessica Wingen each scored eight points, with Wingen adding three blocks as well.

Wittenberg's leading scorer was Lyndsey Clark with 15, while Small scored 14 and went 4-for-4 from 3-point range.

The Scots will wrap up their three-game homestand Wednesday evening when they host Ohio Wesleyan University (6-11, 2-6 NCAC). Tip-off is at 6 p.m.