Lincoln Plews
Senior Sports Writer
The women’s basketball team has put together a late season rally, winning three of its last four games after going on a nine-game losing streak. They currently stand at 9-14 on the season (4-10 NCAC). The Scots took back-to-back home wins this past week, blowing out Ohio Wesleyan University 69-46 on Feb. 6 and beating Wittenberg University 71-65 on Saturday.
After losing a tough contest against Ohio Wesleyan on Jan. 23, the Scots entered the game on Wednesday with revenge in mind. Ohio Wesleyan scored first, but this 2-0 advantage would prove to be their only lead. The Scots quickly took control of the game and established a commanding 33-22 lead going into the halftime break.
Wooster led by double digits for the rest of the game. The Scots shot an impressive 43 percent from the field (44 percent from three point range) and held Ohio Wesleyan to 30 percent shooting (18 percent from three).
The Scots also entered the game on Saturday with something to prove, looking to avenge a 54-45 loss to Wittenberg on Jan. 19. The Tigers jumped out to an early 17-9 lead 10 minutes into the first half, but Wooster put together a quick 10-0 run over the next minute and a half to gain the lead, 17-19. The teams traded baskets for the rest of the half, and went into the break dead even at 32-32.
Wittenberg held a slight lead for most of the second half, but Wooster refused to back down and retook the lead 56-57 off a layup by Karley Walker ’14 with three minutes left in the game. The teams traded baskets to eventually bring the score to 61-61 with two minutes to play.
Wooster center Jessica Wingen ’13 came up with a big block on Wittenberg’s next possession, and then Suvi Puripattarapan ’14 drew a foul and sank both free throws to give Wooster the 61-63 lead.
Wittenberg had a chance to tie on the ensuing possession. With 55 seconds remaining, Tigers guard Amber Lara air-balled her first shot. In a scramble for the rebound, Wittenberg’s Sarah Skidmore scooped up the ball, dribbled hard into the paint and attempted a lay-up. She was met there by Wingen, who once again came up with a huge block and brought in the rebound. The Wittenberg bench voiced their opinion that Skidmore was fouled on the play and was assessed a technical foul.
Wooster took advantage of the two free throws and the free possession to take an insurmountable 67-61 lead, and eventually took home the win 71-65. In addition to key blocks, Wingen led the Scots with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Lauren Hancher ’16 contributed 17 points.