Two Key Runs Help Wooster Top Alma in Thriller at Nan Nichols Classic

WOOSTER, Ohio – First-year Anna Gibbs scored a game-high 20 points to lead four members of The College of Wooster women's basketball team in double figures, as the Fighting Scots topped Alma College in a 77-76 thriller to cap the first day of the 20th annual Nan Nichols Classic at Timken Gymnasium.

Alma's (1-1) Kassidy Adams was fouled with 0.6 seconds remaining in the fourth period on what was a game-tying 3-point attempt. After sinking her first two free throws to make it a one-point game, the senior's third rimmed out, then the ensuing rebound was batted around just long enough that teammate Kelsey Wolffis's would-be game-winner was waved off by the officials.

Wooster (3-0) had a pair of impressive runs to climb back into the contest and ultimately prevail.

Down 50-40 with 6:44 remaining in the third period, the Scots rattled off a 14-0 stretch to take a four-point lead. Sydney Grier and Aki Shurelds capped the rally with back-to-back 3-pointers, as Wooster's depth showed through with six different players contributing points during the run.

Alma gradually regained control and pushed its lead back to six at 65-59 with 7:20 left in the fourth period.

The Scots' second key stretch was highlighted by a Danielle Besancon 3-pointer with 2:32 remaining that gave them the lead for good. It capped a 7-0 run that also saw scoring contributions from Gibbs and Lauren Hancher.

The teams then exchanged three points apiece, leading to the exciting finish.

Overall, the tightly-contested game featured eight lead changes and six ties.

Gibbs, who set a season high for points, also contributed eight assists in the contest, with seven coming over the final two periods. Hancher (16 points), Shurelds (11) and Rachel Collins (10) joined her in double-digits in the scoring column.

Of note, the matchup featured two coaches who are currently leading their respective alma maters in Wooster's Lisa Panepento and Alma's Kris Johnson. In fact, the two squared off as student-athletes as first-years prior to both going on to standout dual-sport Hall-of-Fame careers at their schools.

Earlier in the day, Adrian College (1-1) edged Hanover College (0-1), a 2015 NCAA Div. III Championship tournament participant 76-70. Amber McCullough led the Bulldogs with 14 points, while Antoinea McElroy added a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Hanover's Allison Nash had a game-high 21 points.

The Nan Nichols Classic continues Sunday with Alma and Hanover squaring off at 1 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. tilt between Wooster and Adrian.