Wooster Improves to 4-0 After Another Exciting Finish to Cap Nan Nichols Classic

WOOSTER, Ohio - The College of Wooster women's basketball team provided another exciting finish with its second-straight one-point win, this time topping Adrian College 75-74 to cap the 20th annual Nan Nichols Classic on Sunday afternoon at Timken Gymnasium.

Tournament MVP Anna Gibbs came away with a steal with :02 remaining and was able to take off down the court to seal the win for the Fighting Scots (4-0). The Bulldogs (1-2) had regained possession with :09 remaining on a Scot turnover but were unable to capitalize on the offensive end of the floor.

Wooster gained the lead for good with 1:49 remaining in the fourth period on a layup from junior Rachel Collins, who would go on to make it a two-possession lead at 75-71 with :36 remaining. Adrian charged back with Amber McCullough making a layup and sinking the ensuing free throw to cut Wooster's lead to one with :24 remaining.

The Scots jumped out to a 6-0 lead at the onset behind four straight points from all-tournament honoree senior Lauren Hancher, and a pair of free throws from Gibbs. Adrian countered with a 7-0 run of its own to take a 9-8 lead with 3:35 remaining in the first period, the first of 14 lead changes in the contest.

Wooster again, pushed its lead to six (48-42) with 5:51 remaining in the third period after a jumper from sophomore Katie Mandych, marking the largest lead for either side in the second half. The Scots would again lead by six (63-57) with 8:33 remaining in the contest after a 3-pointer from sophomore Aki Shurelds.

Adrian brieftly took a one-point lead at 71-70 with 2:09 remaining in the fourth period, marking the first lead for the Bulldogs since the opening seconds of the third stanza.

Gibbs, a first-year, led the Scots with 16 points and six assists in the game, coming on the heels of a 20-point, eight-assist outing on Saturday. Hancher added 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for the Scots.

Key to Wooster's win was its outside shooting as the Scots knocked down 11 3-pointers on just 20 attempts. Junior Danielle Besancon led the charge from behind the arc going 3-for-4 on the afternoon.

Adrian was paced by 18 points each from all-tournament honoree Amber McCullough and Marissa Cotton.

Earlier in the day, Hanover College (1-1) topped Alma College (1-2) 78-59 behind 16 points from Claire Cromer.

Alma's Kelsey Wolffis, and Hanover's Allison Nash rounded out the all-tournament team.

Wooster heads out on the road for the first time this season with a 7:30 p.m. tilt at Marietta College (3-0) on Tuesday.