Scots Face Busy Stretch With Three Games in Five Days

Kaitlin Krister

After slipping into a tie for fifth-place in the North Coast Athletic Conference standings, The College of Wooster has an important week ahead as it plays three games over a five-day stretch. It begins Tuesday, Feb. 5, when the Fighting Scots visit Ohio Wesleyan University (12-6, 7-3 NCAC), which is currently tied for third in the league. In the teams’ first meeting (Jan. 5), Wooster led for most of the opening half, but Ohio Wesleyan came back to secure a 61-48 triumph. On Friday, Feb. 8, the Scots will be aiming for a season sweep when they travel to seventh-place Oberlin College (4-15, 3-7 NCAC). Wooster was ahead by double-digits and then held off a late run by Oberlin, edging the Yeowomen 72-69 back on Dec. 5. The Scots will be right back in action 24 hours later, as they host NCAC-leading Kenyon College (14-6, 11-0 NCAC) Saturday, Feb. 9. Kenyon enters the week undefeated in the conference, including a 62-49 victory over Wooster on Jan. 9. All three games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. tip-offs.

Last Week: The Scots endured a pair of double-digit losses, falling to 6-12 and 3-6 in the NCAC.

On Jan. 30, Allegheny College blitzed host Wooster to start the second half, going on a 17-5 run to increase a 30-22 halftime lead into a 20-point bulge (47-27), and the visiting Gators went on to a 65-48 win. One of the Scots’ bright spots was sophomore post Kaitlin Krister (Kent, Ohio / Walsh Jesuit), as she totaled 17 points, eight rebounds, two blocked shots, and four steals, all squad highs. Also in double figures was junior guard Meredith Wilson (Washington Ct. House, Ohio / Miami Trace) with 12 points.

On Feb. 2, Wooster ran into a buzzsaw, as host and rival Wittenberg University was celebrating the naming of its arena in honor of its late head coach, Pam Evans Smith, so an emotionally-charged Tiger team stymied the Scots throughout a 67-35 victory. Wooster was within striking distance at halftime, trailing 31-17, but couldn’t overcome a season-high 32 turnovers for the game. Freshman guard Taylor Keegan (Mohrsville, Pa. / Holy Name) and Krister scored 11 points apiece to lead the Scots, while Wilson collected a team-leading seven rebounds.