Scots Return to Conference Play After Thrilling Win

Meredith Wilson

Following a thrilling win right before New Year’s, The College of Wooster will now set its sights on North Coast Athletic Conference play, as it has a double-dip of league games this weekend. First, on Friday, Jan. 4, Wooster travels to Denison University (4-6, 0-1 NCAC) for a 7:30 p.m. tip. The Fighting Scots own a 33-28 all-time advantage over the Big Red, however, Denison swept the season series last year – 81-48 at Denison and 51-47 at Wooster – to extend its streak over Wooster to 15 games. The Scots will be back in action just over 24 hours later, as they welcome Ohio Wesleyan University (7-3, 2-0 NCAC) to Timken Gymnasium Saturday, Jan. 5, at 8 p.m. Last season, Wooster broke a 19-game losing streak to Ohio Wesleyan, edging the Battling Bishops by a count of 62-57 at Timken Gym, marking the Scots’ first victory in the series since Feb. 21, 1998. Ohio Wesleyan avoided the sweep during 2006-07, holding off Wooster 63-56 at its home facility.

Last Week: The Scots traveled to Kalamazoo, Mich., between Christmas and New Year’s, coming away with a split at the Kalamazoo Classic and moving their season record to 4-5.

On Dec. 29, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, a 21-win team from a year ago, led Wooster for all but a 1:07 stretch of the first half en route to a 64-49 victory in the squads’ first-ever meeting. The Scots trimmed a 34-25 halftime deficit down to six early in the second only to see the Engineers proceed to go on a game-clinching 17-4 run (51-32). As usual, a bright spot for Wooster was the play of sophomore guard Kym Wenz (Avon Lake, Ohio / Avon Lake), as she scored 18 points. First-year backcourt mate Taylor Keegan (Mohrsville, Pa. / Holy Name) added 17, and they shared team rebounding honors with six apiece.

On Dec. 30, Keegan knocked down a 3-pointer with just :06 remaining in the second overtime, lifting the Scots to a 93-92 triumph over host Kalamazoo. It was a back-and-forth affair, as the two were tied 40-40 after the first half and 75-75 at the end of regulation, despite Wooster leading by double-digits for about four-to-five minutes of the second. In the first overtime, it was the Hornets who held the advantage for the most part, however, the Scots took a one-point lead with less than 30 seconds to go before Kalamazoo tied it, 84-84, on a late free throw. The Hornets were ahead for all of the second extra session until Keegan knocked down the big shot. The difference in the game was 3-point shooting, as Wooster made 16-of-29 such attempts (.552), including 4-of-7 by Keegan, 4-of-5 by Wenz, and 7-of-12 by junior guard Meredith Wilson (Washington Ct. House, Ohio / Miami Trace). The trio combined for 69 points – a career-high 30 for Wenz, a career-high 24 for Wilson, and 15 for Keegan. Wenz was the team leader in rebounds with eight, while another key contributor was sophomore guard Colleen Goodwillie (Dublin, Ohio / Bishop Ready) with 10 points as well as four assists, compared to just two turnovers.