Scots Drop Heartbreaker to Hiram, 69-68

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster took a nine-point lead with 5:53 remaining in regulation, but Hiram College chipped away, and then overcame a late go-ahead 3-pointer by Rachel Collins to edge the Fighting Scots, 69-68, in North Coast Athletic Conference action Wednesday evening at Timken Gymnasium.

The Scots (1-21, 0-13 NCAC) were competitive throughout the entire game, but it wasn't until midway through the second half that they took their first lead. An "in-the-zone" Sydney Grier put Wooster ahead, as she drained back-to-back 3-pointers, her fourth and fifth of the contest, to give her team a 52-49 advantage.

The Terriers (7-16, 3-11 NCAC) responded with their own 3-pointer to knot the score momentarily, but Wooster answered back with an exciting 11-3 scoring run that seemed likely to put Hiram away.

Following a baseline jumper from Natalie Coschigano that made it 54-52, Lauren Hancher took over on both ends of the floor and scored Wooster's next nine points. On one Hiram possession, Hancher blocked a shot, and moments later, she stole the ball away and took it coast-to-coast for a fast-break lay-up that turned into an old-fashioned three-point play.

Wooster led by nine (63-54) at that point, but then Hiram went to work, scoring seven in a row, and eventually taking a one-point lead (65-64) after a Terrier was fouled from behind the arc and made all three free throws.

Down by one with just 24 seconds on the clock, Hancher kicked the ball out to Collins, and the latter knocked down a clutch 3-pointer to give the Scots a two-point edge (68-66).

Coming out of a timeout, Hiram's Kaylee Shockley received the ball in the paint, and she made a hoop-and-harm basket, sinking the ensuing free throw to put the Terriers back on top, 69-68, with 13 seconds to go.

The Scots were able to get off a highly-contested shot in the paint at the buzzer, but it rimmed out, and Hiram escaped with the victory.

On the stat sheet, Wooster had three different players score 15 or more points. Hancher led the way with an impressive line, including 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and three blocks. Grier was perfect from downtown (5-for-5) and 6-of-7 overall en route to a 17-point outing, while Collins notched 15 markers, with three 3-pointers, and added six boards.

Two other players set career-highs, as Coschigano had a personal-best eight points, while Lindy Howard pulled down eight rebounds – all coming in the first half.

Hiram's Shockley set the tone for her squad with 15 points and nine boards.

Wooster's last three games of the season will be on the road, beginning with a trip to rival Wittenberg University (17-6, 9-4 NCAC) on Saturday at 2 p.m.