Clutch Free Throw Shooting Lifts Titans Over the Scots

Kaitlin Krister

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster battled with Westminster College on Wednesday evening for 40 minutes inside Timken Gymnasium, but clutch free throw shooting down the stretch by the visitors handed the host Scots a 64-54 loss in non-conference women’s basketball action. The setback dropped Wooster’s record to 1-3 on the season, while the Titans improved to 4-0 overall.

Westminster clung to a one-point lead at halftime (28-27), connecting on both of its charity tosses in the opening 20 minutes. With the lead swinging back-and-forth during the final half of action, the Titans slowly pulled away from the Scots, as Westminster connected on 18-of-21 freebies, including 10-of-10 from senior Emilee Ackerman, and sealed the victory.

The iron was unkind to the hosts as the Scots managed to connect on a season-low 34.4 percent from the field (21-of-61), but did manage a season-best 45.5 percent from beyond the arc on 5-of-11 shooting. Westminster was slightly better popping in 37.7 percent of its tosses (20-of-53), but knocked home just 36.4 percent on 4-of-11 long-range tries.

Despite the poor shooting numbers, Wooster possessed the early advantage in the opening minutes of the first half and went up by as many as six (12-6) with 13:41 left. Over the next 7:10 of action, the Titans rattled off a 13-0 run, capped by a lay-up by Ackerman, and took the lead by a 19-12 count.

Wooster chopped the Titan lead down to one just before the halftime buzzer, when junior Meredith Wilson sank a three-pointer with just under a minute left on an assist from sophomore Kym Wenz.

The second half, which featured numerous lead changes and ties, saw Wooster attempt to even the score, but the Titans wouldn’t let that happen and increased their lead at the charity stripe in the ten-point win.

Sophomore Kaitlin Krister led the Scots with an all-around performance of 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and a 4-of-5 from the line, corralled a team-high eight rebounds to go along with three blocks and three steals. Wenz also finished in double figures for Wooster, racking up 15 points and chipped in with six boards.           

Ackerman had a big night for Westminster, leading the way with 24 points, while pulling down eight rebounds. Gina Brunetti poured in 16 points, while Rachel Martinko contributed eight points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Wooster has a week off before opening North Coast Athletic Conference action with Oberlin College (1-3, 0-0 NCAC) on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at home. The Scots own a 42-12 advantage in the all-time series with the Yeowomen, including 61-51 and 66-63 victories last season.