Andrew Bell
Staff Writer
This past Saturday, Feb. 1, the College celebrated National Girls & Women in Sports Day before women’s basketball held a rivalry matchup with their archrival, Wittenberg University. The holiday, which began in 1987, is crucial for the continued promotion and development of women’s sports at all levels.
First-year head coach Olivia Besancon reflected on the holiday as “[a way] to celebrate all the people before us that put the work in and fought for us to have these opportunities.” The Tigers and Scots played earlier this season during the beginning stages of North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) play on Jan. 4, resulting in a loss for the Scots. Moreover, this contest against the Tigers marked the beginning of Wooster’s 3-game streak against conference opponents.
Ella Biondi ’26 began the action for the Scots as she faced off against Wittenberg’s center for the jump. The Tigers gained the first possession but didn’t score until their second. The bucket queued a 6-0 run for the Tigers. Ace Sturdivant ’27 eventually scored Wooster’s first points of the game with a lay-in. Her basket was followed by a pair of buckets from Mackenzie Riccitelli ’28. Riccitelli’s offensive effort was highlighted through a physical power lay-up, as she backed down a defender to convert a 2 point play. Biondi grabbed an extra point off of a free throw after being fouled on a scoring lay-up. Riccitelli scored from beyond the arch to end the quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the Scots were down 25-12.
Riccitelli continued her hot streak, sinking a jumper to begin Wooster’s scoring in the second quarter. Riccitelli knocked in another 3 on the ensuing drive, and then exploited the transition game, scoring on a layup after weaving through 2 Tigers on her way to the hoop. Ella Dean ’26 proved pivotal in an additional transition attack, forwarding the ball to a sprinting Riccitelli. Riccitelli then swished yet another 3-pointer to continue her scoring flurry. Ellery Kloek ’28 then came off the bench and scored her first points of the game with a 3-pointer. Erica Beaty ’26 added 2 more to the total with a pair of free throws. Beaty’s score marked the end of the half with the Scots still trailing, 43-26.
Biondi scored Wooster’s first points of the half with a power lay-up. Dean and Riccitelli added to the score as they both shot free-throws. The Scots continued to utilize free-throws for points as Witt exceeded the foul limit. Both Biondi and Kloek shot bonus free-throws to add to the score. Nevertheless, Wooster was down 35-68 at the end of the third quarter.
Dean scored the first bucket of the fourth quarter with a bank-in 18-footer. She then scored Wooster’s next points deep into the shot clock with a tough lay-up. Emily Webb ’28 scored her first points of the game with a 3-pointer. Kloek put up one last 3-pointer before the end of the game. Wittenberg defeated the Scots, 90-45.
This playing experience is valuable in the development of Besancon’s senior-less squad. “We have a bright future ahead,” Besancon said. “You see the young stars we have on the roster, and we hope to continue to develop them.” One of these young stars was Riccitelli, who dropped 20 points against the Tigers. “[Riccitelli] never quits,” Besancon said. “She gives that effort every single day.”
The celebration of women’s sports was widely successful. Athletic Director Lynn Holleran was extremely pleased with the event. “We had absolutely every sport represented, and we had participation [at the Women in Sports Day Clinic]. Then, look at how many of them sat and cheered our team on in the stands … We are excited about that.”
The Scots return home on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 12 p.m. to face off against NCAC opponent Denison University at Timken Gymnasium. This game will be hosted as a mental health awareness game sponsored by The Hidden Opponent.
