Scots' Second Half Surge Comes Up Short Against Big Red

The College of Wooster fought back from a 15-point halftime deficit to pull within four points in the second half, but Denison University regained control down the stretch to deal the Fighting Scots a 75-57 setback Saturday evening in North Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball action at Granville, Ohio.

Trailing 43-28 at the break, the Scots (6-7, 1-3 NCAC) scored the first nine points of the second half, beginning with a lay-up from Maura Hall. Next, Karley Walker made one of her game-high three 3-pointers, and then Hall went back to work, sinking the first of a pair of free throws, and later draining just her third 3-pointer of the season to cut Denison's (7-6, 2-2 NCAC) advantage to 45-41.

The Big Red answered back, though, with their own 8-0 scoring spurt to rebuild a double-digit cushion at 53-41, but the Scots had another run in them as well.

Walker made another 3-ball and Nisa Usman scored after an offensive rebound under the basket to bring Wooster back within seven (53-46), and then after a Denison bucket, Walker converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to make it a six-point game at 55-49.

The Scots drew within six points at one other juncture, 59-53, following a pair of free throw shots from Lauren Hancher with 6:09 remaining in regulation, but Wooster's offense went cold in the game's final minutes as Denison pulled away for the victory.

Wooster was led on the stat sheet by Walker with 14 points, while Jessica Wingen piled up her seventh double-double of the season with 11 points and 14 boards. Wingen also recorded a blocked shot – the 150th of her career.

Rounding out the Scots' statistical leaders, Hancher had 10 points, and Hall chipped in nine points and 10 rebounds.

Denison was paced by an even 20 tallies from Serafina Nuzzo, and also noteworthy, Kyli Parker came off the bench to amass 11 points, eight steals, and six assists.

Wooster visits Hiram College (5-9, 0-5 NCAC) next on Wednesday at 6 p.m.