Three Score in Double Figures in Loss at Alma

ALMA, Mich. –  The College of Wooster women's basketball team held a halftime lead against Alma College on Wednesday, but the Scots had answers for the Fighting Scots as Alma won 63-52.

First-year Mackenzie Riccitelli scored 17 to lead Wooster. Ace Sturdivant and Ella Biondi each added 12 points, while Sturdivant collected a team-high eight rebounds and eight assists. Off the bench, Erica Beaty scored six off two 3-pointers and Anna Hardink scored five points.

Alma was led by Brooke LeRoux, who scored a game-high 21 points. Reagan Thorr added 12.

At the start, the Scots had a nice pace going, leading 16-10 at the first media timeout following a baseline 3-pointer from Beaty. However, both teams' offenses slowed until Alma sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut Wooster's lead to 17-14.

Midway through the second quarter, Riccitelli capitalized on an and-1 opportunity to give Wooster a 27-22 lead. The teams again struggled to score following the media timeout, but Wooster did enough to secure a 29-26 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Alma took the lead, 32-31, and a 3-pointer next time down made it 35-31.

Wooster struggled in the quarter but gained momentum late thanks to Sturdivant.

A reverse layup and then a steal led to another bucket from the sophomore as Wooster cut the deficit to 41-37 after three.

Alma (5-5) opened the fourth with a pair of 3-pointers and led by 10 with 7:37 remaining. Wooster (2-8) followed with a 3-pointer from Riccitelli and an and-1 from Biondi, but again Alma kept having answers, hitting a 3-pointer to extend its lead to 50-43 and keeping that range of a lead for the rest of the way.

Wooster ended up shooting 39 percent (20 of 51) to Alma's 35 percent (21 of 60). Wooster was just 4 of 20 from range (20 percent), while Alma shot 41 percent (7 of 17).

At the free throw line, Wooster went 8 of 12 (67 percent), and Alma shot 14 of 24 (58 percent).

Alma outrebounded Wooster 43-29, which included a 17-0 second chance point advantage.

Wooster will get to enjoy a nice holiday break before returning home on Dec. 30 when they host Earlham College.