Lincoln Plews
Senior Sports Writer
After beginning the season with five wins in a row, the women’s basketball team is still struggling to regain its footing amid a recent run of bad luck. The team is currently in the midst of a six-game losing streak, including recent narrow losses to Hiram College and Ohio Wesleyan University.
The Scots had hoped to come up with a win in their Jan. 29 game against Hiram, but ended up just short in a 60-59 loss. The game was close from beginning to end, with Hiram maintaining a slim lead in the early goings.
The game began to get away from the Scots early in the second half, with Hiram pulling out to a 37-27 lead five minutes into the second period. Wooster’s Lauren Hancher ’16 refused to let the team fall away, scoring all 16 points in a 16-6 run for Wooster that would bring the game to a tie at 43-43.
The Scots and the Terriers traded blows for the remainder of the game, until finally Wooster’s Maura Hall ’14 stepped to the line with 15 seconds to play and Wooster down two points, 59-57. Hall sunk both free throws to tie the game, but Hiram would force Wooster to foul to save an easy lay-up on the ensuing possession.
Hiram’s Christy Griffin sunk the first foul shot to put the terriers up 60-59, but missed the second. Unfortunately, with only seven seconds remaining, the Scots could not get a decent look, and guard Karley Walker ’14’s last-second try was off the mark, giving the Terriers the narrow win.
The Scot’s 72-67 loss to Ohio Wesleyan on Feb. 5 was also a dramatic affair, with Wooster falling behind by double-digits and coming back to tie the game in both the first and second halves. The Scots allowed the Battling Bishops to jump out to an early 21-8 lead seven minutes into the game, but managed a 22-9 run over the next 10 minutes to tie the game at 30-30. Ohio Wesleyan ended the half carrying a slim 39-37 lead.
The Bishops, coming out of the break strong, jumped to a 54-43 lead six minutes into the second period. Wooster once again managed a comeback, going on a run to tie the game at 62-62 with four minutes left to play.
With two minutes to play, a free throw from Walker brought the Scots within one at 68-67. Unfortunately, the Scots went cold in the final minutes, missing all three of their last shots while Ohio Wesleyan sunk six straight free throws, giving them the 72-67 win.
The Scots will finish the season with a three game home-stand, including games against Wittenberg University, Allegheny College and Kenyon College. These home games give the team a good chance to end what has been a frustrating season with a few victories in front of the home crowd.