The Wooster womenís basketball team triumphed over Oberlin College 71-58 in last Saturdayís North Coast Athletic Conference game in Timken Gymnasium, ending Woosterís three-game losing streak in the NCAC.† The Scotsí (8-13, 5-7 NCAC) performance was an improvement over the last time they faced the Yeowomen (4-17, 3-9 NCAC) which ended in a 78-74 overtime victory.
Wooster and Oberlin traded baskets in the first minutes of the game, but the Scots gained the lead with a basket by Jessica Wingen í13 and a three-ball by Kim Wenz í10 to put Wooster ahead by six (16-10) in the first half.† Oberlin came within one of Wooster after a 9-4 run that included a three-pointer by Syrea Thomas (20-19), but that was the closest the Yeowomen came within the Scots for the remainder of the game.
Back-to-back three-pointers by Colleen Goodwillie í10 with assists by Keshia Butler í12 and Kaitlin Krister í10 drew Woosterís lead to 30-21 with just over five minutes remaining in the half.† Krister added two more points, giving the Scots their first double-digit advantage, but it was cut to eight (32-24) as Oberlinís Allison Anderson scored from behind the arc.
Both teams came into the second half rejuvenated and with renewed determination. Anderson opened with another three-ball and another basket by Kayla Brandt brought Oberlin within four (40-36).† Wooster responded with a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to give the Scots a 13-point lead, their largest of the night (49-36).
Oberlin was never able to overcome the deficit, and a series of fouls over the final two minutes sealed the Wooster win.† Samantha Justice í12 went 5-of-6 during this series, finishing the game with 11 points and three rebounds.
Kristen Schwartz í12 scored a career-high 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting adding seven boards, two blocks and two steals. Wenz matched her 17 points with two three-pointers and 7-of-8 shooting from the free-throw line.
For Oberlin, Anderson led with the game-high of 23 points and nine assists, while Brandt and Thomas had 10 points each.
The Scots defeated the Allegheny Gators (9-12, 6-6 NCAC) in a 66-58 victory on Wednesday night in Timken Gymnasium.† The Scotsí seniors were honored prior to the game, which was their last performance on their home court.
It was a slow start for both teams in the early minutes of the game, but Wooster was able to build a solid lead that the Gators were never able to overcome. Points by Krister and a three-ball by Wenz put Wooster ahead by eight (10-2) in the first five minutes of play.
The Scotsí playmaking ability was assisted by a series of fouls by Allegheny, and Wooster went 63 percent for free throws throughout the game.
Although the Scots only led by 2 (32-30) at the start of the second half, they were able to pull away from the Gators and establish a more dominant lead.
Wenz led the teamís scoring with 22 points, while Schwartz had 16 and Krister had 12.
The Scots will be in action at Wittenberg University (15-6, 13-0 NCAC) tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.† Wittenberg is currently undefeated in the NCAC.† Wooster will play at Ohio Wesleyan on Monday at 7:30 p.m. to make up the game that was cancelled last week due to inclement weather.