Scots Allow Kalamazoo to Pull Away Early in Nan Nichols Finale

WOOSTER, Ohio – A nine-minute stretch in the first half was the difference in the game, as The College of Wooster allowed Kalamazoo College to construct a 26-3 scoring run, and ultimately, the Fighting Scots lost to the Hornets, 82-57, to close out the 19th annual Nan Nichols Classic on Sunday at Timken Gymnasium.

It appeared like a closely-contested match-up was in store, as Sydney Grier drained a 3-pointer that had Wooster within three (12-9) just under six minutes into the action. It was at that juncture that Kalamazoo took over, as it scored 13 in a row to go up 25-9.

Rachel Huxhold halted the run momentarily with her own 3-pointer, which made it 25-12, but the Hornets went right back to work with yet another 13-0 run that gave them a 26-point cushion (38-12) with 5:29 remaining before the break.

From that moment on, the Scots outscored the Hornets by one, 45-44. Wooster even ended the game on a 10-0 scoring run, which included four points from Lauren Hancher, and three each from Huxhold and Paige Fabry, but by then, the damage had already been done.

Statistically, the biggest difference came in the paint, where Kalamazoo outscored Wooster 20-6. Overall, the Hornets shot 51.5 percent (35-of-68) from the field, while the Scots were limited to 34.0 percent (17-of-50).

Hancher and Huxhold tied for the team lead with 14 points each. For Huxhold, it was the second-highest scoring output of her career, while her three 3-pointers tied a career-best. Other notable performances came from Sydney Failing, with eight points and eight rebounds, and Natalie Coschigano, who pulled down a career-high seven boards to go along with four points and a blocked shot.

Earlier in the afternoon, John Carroll University managed a second-straight narrow victory, this time edging out Adrian College 74-71.

John Carroll's Katlyn Spahar was named tournament MVP, as she led all players in scoring over the weekend with 42 points, while adding 15 rebounds, seven assists, and seven steals. Her teammate Beth Switzler was also an all-tournament team selection with 28 points and 20 rebounds.

Also earning all-tournament honors were Adrian's Brigitte Zavithsanos (37 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals), Kalamazoo's Kelsey Adamski (23 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks), and Wooster's Hancher (38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals) and Failing (27 points, 20 rebounds, 16-for-16 on free throws).

The Scots (0-2) will take to the road to visit Geneva College (1-0) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.