Scots Battle Undefeated Capital

The College of Wooster women's basketball team played undefeated Capital University on Tuesday but ultimately fell 75-48.

The difference was a 31-8 third quarter where Capital (4-0) broke open a 31-24 halftime lead with 22 unanswered points to start the third. 

If you take away that run, Wooster played to within five points of the Crusaders. Wooster also won the fourth quarter 16-13.

Wooster managed to frustrate Capital leading scorer Bri O'Connor in the first half, holding her to eight points. However, O'Connor, who averages over 23 points per game, ended with a game-high 20 points. 

Offensively, Wooster was led with 11 points from Ace Sturdivant on 5-of-8 shooting. First-year Mackenzie Riccitelli followed with 10 points.

First-year Ellery Kloek tied a season-high with eight points, while junior Ella Dean followed with seven.

Chloe Pordash connected on a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter for six points, her first of the year. Ella Biondi scored four points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, and Katelyn Barnes hit a layup to round out the scoring.

Biondi opened play strong, which included an opening possession block, but was limited in minutes because of foul trouble.

Wooster's defense was up to the task early as a short 5-0 run gave Wooster a 9-5 edge midway through the first.

Unfortunately, that was Wooster's last lead of the game as Capital held a slim 14-11 margin after one quarter.

Wooster stayed competitive in the second, trailing by three at 18-15 with 5:44 left in the half. By halftime, Capital led 31-24.

For the game, Wooster shot 38 percent (18-of-48) from the floor and 33 percent (5-of-15) from deep. Wooster was better at the line, shooting 78 percent (7-of-9).

Capital winning the rebounding battle 44-32 helped their cause, which included 18 second chance points. They also scored 30 points off 24 Wooster turnovers.

Both teams scored eight fast break points, and Wooster scored 15 bench points to Capital's 23.

Next, the Scots will host Oberlin on Dec. 4 in their opener of North Coast Athletic Conference play.