Scots Sweep Series Versus Kenyon

GAMBIER - Working the ball inside paid off for The College of Wooster women's basketball team on Wednesday as they defeated Kenyon College 71-60 in North Coast Athletic Conference play.

Junior Ella Biondi benefitted the most as she achieved a season-high 19 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the year.

Meanwhile, first-year Mackenzie Riccitelli scored 14 points, which moved her in the top 10 of the program's all-time season record for points with 405. She currently sits ninth with one game remaining this season.

The last time a Scot moved into that list was Lauren Hancher, who scored 432 points in the 2015-16 season.

On Wednesday, however, while the inside game worked throughout, it was clutch 3-pointers that put the game away for the Scots.

Late in the fourth, second chance points pulled Kenyon within two, but sophomore Ace Sturdivant answered with a corner 3-pointer for Wooster to lead 65-60 with under two minutes remaining. Next time down, it was junior Ella Dean in an identical spot, connecting on a 3-pointer, off an assist from Riccitelli, to put the game away.

Another key stretch of the game came at the midway point of the second quarter with Wooster trailing 26-22. The Scots went on a tear, closing with a 22-5 run to lead 44-31 at halftime.

In that span, Riccitelli led the charge with eight points, while Sturdivant scored six. Each propelled momentum connecting on and-1 opportunities as well.

Biondi and Ellery Kloek each scored four points in the run. In fact, the run started with a Biondi layup and concluded with a layup at the buzzer by Biondi.

Sturdivant came off the bench and ended with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Riccitelli added eight rebounds and six assists, while going 7-of-7 from the foul line.

In addition, Erica Beaty and Anna Hardink each scored six points.

Kenyon (2-21, 0-13 NCAC) was led by a 22-point performance from Kiana Mollabashy.

Wooster (5-19, 2-11 NCAC) led for 30:22 and led by as many as 17 at 48-31 early in the third.

It was the fourth time this season they shot above 44 percent (26 of 59), despite shooting just 25 percent (5 of 20) from 3-point range. Wooster shot 74 percent (14 of 19) from the charity stripe.

Wooster won the rebounding battle 45-27 and outscored the Owls in the paint 40-28.

This was Wooster's first conference road win since 2020 when they defeated Oberlin, 57-41. With the win, the Scots sweep the season series.

The Scots will wrap its season up Saturday with a trip to DePauw University.