Wooster Unable to Close Out Hiram, Falls in Overtime

WOOSTER, Ohio - Junior Danielle Besancon from The College of Wooster women's basketball team came away with a steal and finished a coast-to-coast fast break layup with nine seconds remaining in regulation, but a game-tying 3-pointer from Hiram College helped spark the Terriers to a 61-53 overtime win on Wednesday evening at Timken Gymnasium.

Wooster (5-14, 1-9 North Coast Athletic Conference) reclaimed the lead at 46-45 with 23 ticks remaining in regulation on a free throw from first-year Anna Gibbs. Besancon pushed the lead to three moments later coming up with a steal in the corner and out-hustling the Terriers down the floor.

Hiram's (11-8, 5-5 NCAC) Dana Perrotta tied the contest at 48 drilling a 30-foot 3-pointer with four seconds remaining in regulation.

Wooster's game-winner was off the mark at the end of regulation.

The Fighting Scots had a key opportunity in the extra stanza to make a big move when Gibbs was fouled, while a technical foul was also assessed to the Terriers on the play, with 35 seconds remaining. Wooster converted three of its four free throws to cut its deficit to three at 56-53.

Moments earlier, Hiram had a key 6-0 run to open up a 56-50 advantage.

Each time Wooster gained separation from Hiram in the contest, the Terriers would answer right back.

First, Wooster built an eight-point lead at 23-15 at the 3:30 mark in the second period when a layup from Gibbs put the Fighting Scots in front 23-15. Hiram answered with a 5-0 run to cut its deficit to three at 23-20 with 2:20 remaining in the frame.

The Scots, again, pushed their lead to eight, this time to end the half, on a jumper from Gibbs. The first-year would score 11 of her 14 points in the first half. The Terriers came out of the break with a 7-0 run, capped by a Mercedes Jones trifecta to make it a one-point game at 28-27.

Wooster's sophomores answered by sparking the Scots' offense with back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead back to seven at 34-27 with 4:59 left in the third period. First Aki Shurelds connected off the assist from Kyle Croxton. Croxton connected on her own 3-pointer the very next offensive possession for Wooster.

Perrotta, the hero at the end of regulation, hit another key 3-pointer in the third frame, tying the score at 36 to cap a 7-0 Terrier run.

Wooster opened the fourth period with a 9-0 run highlighted by a pair of deep jumpers from senior Lauren Hancher, and a nice layup in the paint from first-year Christina Vukovich, who logged her first start her collegiate career in the contest.

Hiram countered right back with a 9-0 clip of its own with Kaylee Shockley tying the game at 45 with 1:21 left in regulation.

Both teams had a close start to the contest with each team leading by no more than four in the opening period. Wooster took an early 8-4 advantage on a layup from Vukovich with 5:29 left in the stanza. Hiram took its four-point lead at 12-8, when Shockley capped a 10-0 run at the 1:14 mark.

Hancher led Wooster on the night with a team-high 16 points to go along with six rebounds. Gibbs gathered in a season-high seven rebounds.

Jones led Hiram with a game-high 18 points, while adding a double-double with 12 rebounds.

Wooster remains at home to take on Ohio Wesleyan University (3-16, 2-8 NCAC) next week Wednesday at 6 p.m.