Second-Half Comeback Not Enough, as Westminster Slips Past Scots 58-53

Carly Loehrke

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Despite a valiant second-half comeback, which saw The College of Wooster’s women’s basketball team erase an eight-point halftime deficit to take a 45-44 lead on two Beth Besancon Sidle free throws with 5:54 remaining, home-standing Westminster (Pa.) College held on for a 58-53 victory.

The first half was all Titans, as Westminster (2-2) raced out to a 14-2 lead and continued to hold a double-digit advantage for most of the opening 20 minutes of action. A free throw by Kym Wenz did bring the Fighting Scots (2-1) within nine, 18-9 with five minutes left, and the two teams would trade baskets through the remainder of the frame. Wooster went into the break within striking distance at 25-17, despite shooting a mere 17.9 percent (5-of-28) from the floor.

The second period saw the Titans remain in control early on, however, the Scots would not go away, whittling away at the lead. Wooster used a six-point run, capped by jumpers by Wenz, Besancon Sidle, and Carly Loehrke to pull within two (40-38) with 9:16 remaining. Both squads battled back-and-forth throughout the next few minutes, until Bescanson Sidle’s free throws gave the Scots their first lead.

Wooster extended its lead to three on two Maria Gonzalez free throws, and would lead by three on one other occasion, 49-46 on a Loehrke jumper. After the hosts tied it up 49-49 when Desiree Sterling canned a 3-pointer, part of her game-high 32 points on the afternoon, Westminster regained control and went on to the five-point victory.

Leading the Scots on the afternoon was Loehrke, who recorded her second-consecutive double-double, pouring in a team-high 18 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. Loehrke also chipped in three assists and two blocked shots in an all-around effort, while Bescancon Sidle finished with 16 points.

For the game, Wooster made one-third of its field-goal attempts (20-of-60), while Westminster fared slightly better, shooting 34.5 percent (19-of-55). The Scots were outrebounded by a 48-38 margin.

Wooster is back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 29 when they host Case Western Reserve University (2-1) in another non-conference match-up. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.