Terriers Edge Scots with Fourth-Period Run in Conference Road Opener

Tied at 41 at the halftime break, the Hiram College Terriers capitalized on consecutive 17-11 periods and a 13-0 opening fourth-period run to put away The College of Wooster women's basketball team by a final score of 75-63 on Wednesday evening at Price Gymnasium in Hiram, Ohio.

Hiram (3-7, 1-3 North Coast Athletic Conference) opened up to a 26-16 lead after the first 10 minutes behind six points each from starter Erica Johnson and reserve Tashauna Wright. For Wooster (2-5, 0-2 NCAC), 5-for-6 shooting at the foul line kept the Fighting Scots within striking distance. Wooster's opening defensive effort resulted in three steals, including two from first-year Jeanna Willis.

The Scots flipped the script in the second stanza, outscoring Hiram 25-15 behind a monster 10-minute span from first-year center Maria Janasko, who went 5-for-6 from the field for 10 points. Senior Aki Shurelds matched that with 10 points on 3-for-4 shooting and a 2-for-2 showcase at the line to bring the score level at 41-all after 20 minutes.

In the third, Janasko was held to 1-for-2 from the floor while Hiram's Allison Vannoy posted seven of her 15 points in the third.

Regardless, the Scots actually took a 43-41 lead out of the gate after a made jumper from Willis off the assist from Janasko. The Terriers responded with a mini 6-0 run, but Wooster remained within two possessions for the remainder of the period, with Hiram taking a 58-52 advantage after three periods.

Thirty-three seconds into the fourth, Hiram's Wright kickstarted a momentum-sapping 13-0 run with a layup in the paint. The Terriers went on to hold a 71-54 advantage through the period's opening 6:40 before sophomore Courtney Lockhart broke the spell with a layup at the 3:20 mark.

The Scots ended on a 9-4 run, highlighted by six points from sophomore Aubri McKoy.

Janasko finished with a season-high 17 points and tied her season-best with eight rebounds. Junior Anna Gibbs pitched in 10 points while Shurelds ended with 15, led by 3-for-6 shooting from three-point range.

Six Scots recorded at least two steals, led by Willis' three. Critical for the Terriers was their three-point percentage, going 7-for-10 from deep compared to Wooster's 4-for-14. On the day, Wooster shot 41.8 percent, nearly identical to Hiram's 42.4. The Terriers led the battle on the glass, 42-36, headlined by 18 offensive rebounds.

Up next, Wooster hosts No. 15 DePauw University (7-1, 3-0 NCAC) for a 2 p.m. tipoff on Saturday, Dec. 9 at Timken Gymnasium.