Scots Start New Year With NCAC Loss to Kenyon

Despite leading by as many as 17 in the third quarter, The College of Wooster women's basketball team was defeated by Kenyon College 74-68 in Saturday action of North Coast Athletic Conference play.

Kenyon's Paige Matijasich led all players with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists, shooting 11-of-19 from the floor, 3-of-5 from range and 7-of-8 from the foul line.

Wooster was led by junior Maria Janasko as she finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds. She made the most of her trips to the free throw line, scoring on all eight attempts.

Senior Kylie Orr followed with 14 points off the bench while Akwia Tilton and A'Janay Nicholson also reached double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

This was a game of runs from the beginning as Kenyon scored 10 straight points after falling behind 4-0 to begin the game. Wooster then put together an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead at 12-10.

The Scots held Kenyon to just three points in the final six minutes of the quarter and led 20-13 after one. Wooster stayed on the gas pedal in the second quarter taking their lead to 13 points at 39-26 at halftime.

Wooster scored the first four points of the third and held a double digit lead until the 2:51 mark when they led by 10. Kenyon ended the quarter on a 16-4 run in the final 3:21.

Kenyon then took off from there as Matijasich scored the first five points of the fourth to give Kenyon its first lead since the first quarter. Kenyon took their own 10-point lead with 3:11 remaining as Wooster tried to make a comeback of their own.

Wooster got to within three points after an Orr 3-pointer with 1:15 left but could not get any closer.

After shooting 46 percent in the first half, Wooster dropped to shooting just 25 percent in the final two quarters. They finished at 35 percent (24-of-69) for the game, while Kenyon shot 42 percent (27-of-65).

Wooster won the rebounding battle 42-39 and outscored the Ladies in the paint 34-28, in fast break points 13-7, and in bench scoring 26-13.

Wooster falls to 4-8 overall and 0-3 in NCAC play. Kenyon improves to 5-8 overall and 2-3 in conference play.

Wooster returns to action Wednesday when they host Hiram College in another NCAC showdown.