Wooster Unable to Maintain Strong Start Against Nationally-Ranked DePauw

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster women's basketball team continued its string of strong starts at home against nationally-ranked DePauw University, but the No. 24 Tigers pulled away in the second half to take a 61-48 decision at Timken Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

DePauw (5-2, 1-0 North Coast Athletic Conference), ranked 24th in this week's coaches' poll, scored the first four points of the contest, working the ball inside for four of what would turn into 44 points in the paint before Wooster (4-3, 0-1 NCAC) was able to generate offensive momentum.

Junior Rachel Collins connected on a 3-pointer with 6:55 remaining in the stanza for the first Wooster points of the afternoon. Senior Lauren Hancher chipped in four straight points to cap a 7-0 run, handing the College its first lead of the day at 7-4. Hancher added four more points at the end of the period via a layup in the paint and a mid-range jumper to put Wooster back on top 11-9.

Of note, the 11-9 lead marked the third consecutive year Wooster has led DePauw at the midway point of the first half at home. Last season, Wooster held a 13-12 advantage at the 10:00 mark of the first half, while two seasons ago, the Fighting Scots were on top 17-15 at the midway point.

Hancher added a pair of free throws, pushing Wooster's lead to 13-9 to start the second period. DePauw counted with a 6-0 run sparked by Claire Ryan's fast-break lay-up to reclaim the lead at 15-13. The two teams exchanged the lead six times, with Wooster's scoring coming from a Collins' 3-pointer, and jumpers from Hancher and first-year Alyssa Kendrick prior to DePauw closing out the half on a 5-0 run to take a 24-20 halftime lead.

The Tigers charged ahead with a 10-0 run in the third period to open up a 40-25 lead. First-year Shar Hankerson highlighted the second-half effort for the Scots scoring 10 points in the half, highlighted by two field goals to close the third period.

Wooster closed the contest with an impressive 11-2 stretch, which included a 3-pointer from Hancher.

Hancher led the Scots on the afternoon with a game-high 19 points. The senior also had a big afternoon on the defensive end recording five of Wooster's 14 steals.

DePauw was paced by Abby Keller's double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds).

Wooster returns to the road for a 7:30 p.m. conference tilt at Oberlin College (5-4, 0-1 NCAC) on Wednesday.