Youthful Scots Get First Action in Season Opener

BETHANY, W.Va. – The College of Wooster women's basketball team opened its season Wednesday in a losing effort, falling to Franciscan University, 80-68.

First-year Ella Biondi impressed in her first showing with a double-double at 19 points and 13 rebounds. Three other first-years reached double digits as well – Mia Walker and Chloe Pordash each scored 12, and Ella Dean added 10 points.

Wooster undoubtedly had some first game jitters having six of this year's 13 roster members appearing in their first collegiate game. In fact, head coach Mary Kate Tierney went with an all first-year lineup early on, which resulted in Erica Beaty scoring the first points of the year.

Later, Walker scored her first points as Wooster trailed 9-4 midway through the first quarter.

Wooster trailed 18-6 after one quarter, but put together a decent second quarter, tripling their offensive output, to trail 39-25 at halftime.

Wooster kept fighting, winning the third quarter 22-20 and with five minutes remaining in the game, found themselves trailing by single digits. 

They went on a late 8-2 run via a score as Wooster trailed 67-61 with 5:13 remaining.

A second chance bucket from Franciscan stopped the run, and Franciscan kept enough distance between the two teams for the win.

Wooster (0-1) shot 32 percent (22-of-69) from the floor and just 24 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range. They shot an impressive 87 percent (20-of-23) from the foul line.

Franciscan (1-0) shot 39 percent (27-of-69) for the game and 25 percent (6-of-24) from deep.

Junior Harley Holloway's presence was certainly missed. The team's leading scorer led the Scots to a 65-56 win over Franciscan last year behind a game-high 17 points but was out on Wednesday.

Wooster will return to action Saturday when they travel to Bluffton University.