Lauren Hancher

Wittenberg University's 14-0 scoring run before the halftime break was the difference in an otherwise closely-contested game, as the Tigers dropped the Fighting Scots 54-45 on Saturday afternoon in a women's basketball match-up between North Coast Athletic Conference rivals at Springfield, Ohio.

Trailing 14-6 in the early goings, the Scots (6-11, 1-7 NCAC) scored seven points in a row, as Lauren Hancher made a lay-up, Rachel Huxhold sunk a 3-pointer, and Suvi Puripattarapan slashed to the basket and laid it in to pull Wooster within 14-13.

It was at that juncture that the Tigers (8-8, 4-3 NCAC) constructed a scoring run of 14 unanswered points over a 6:17 span heading into halftime which put Wooster's rival ahead 28-13.

Wooster made it interesting, though, as it outscored Wittenberg by six points (32-26) in the second half, and cut the deficit to as little as five at one point. With the Tigers up by 13 (43-30) midway through the stanza, Sydney Grier connected on a 3-pointer that kick started an 8-0 scoring run to bring the Scots as close as 43-38, but Wittenberg regained control and held on for the victory.

The Scots have fared well cleaning up the glass this season, but were outrebounded 52-34 in this contest. Wooster was dialed in at the free throw line (9-for-10), however, although the Tigers got to the charity stripe more often (16-for-24) which helped determine the outcome.

Hancher followed up her career-high 14-point game earlier in the week with a team-high 13 points today, while Jessica Wingen (9) and Huxhold (7) also made some noise in the scoring department. Maura Hall led the Scots with eight rebounds, her seventh game this season with eight or more, and Karley Walker added six boards. Also noteworthy, Puripattarapan had three steals.

The Tigers were led by Karen Daniel-Hamberg's nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocked shots.

Next, Wooster attempts to snap its losing skid when it visits Ohio Wesleyan University (3-5, 4-13 NCAC) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.