Strong Second Half Propels Muskies Over Scots

NEW CONCORD, Ohio – Muskingum University snapped The College of Wooster women's basketball team's modest three-game win streak with a 71-61 victory on Wednesday.

It was Muskingum's home opener and their first win of the season. They improved to 1-5, while Wooster dropped to 3-2.

Devyn Bonner led Muskingum and all scorers with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Emily Yeager added 19 points and 12 rebounds.

For Wooster, their top two producers came from the bench. Maria Janasko scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Kyle Croxton scored 11 points and hauled in seven rebounds.

Wooster held a 15-13 lead after the first quarter but trailed 32-28 at halftime. The Muskies expanded on that lead with a 15-6 start to the third quarter.

When Wooster tried to make a dent in lead with a 3-pointer from Kylie Orr, Muskingum answered with a 3-pointer of their own on the very next possession. A Croxton layup was answered by another layup, and by the end of the third quarter Muskingum had built a double-digit lead at 52-42.

Wooster cut the lead to six twice in the fourth quarter but could not get over that hump.

It was Wooster's lowest point total so far this season. They shot 34 percent (23-for-68) from the floor and just 14 percent (3-for-21) from 3-point range. The Scots were 12-for-18 (67 percent) from the line.

Muskingum shot 34 percent (21-for-62) as well and were slightly better from range at 29 percent (6-for-21) and from the foul line at 74 percent (23-for-31).

The Muskies outrebounded the Scots 53-40 and scored 23 points off second chance points. Wooster outscored them 38-22 in the paint and 30-14 off the bench.

The Scots return to action 1 p.m. Saturday with a conference game at Hiram College.