WILMINGTON - The Wilmington College women's basketball team shot a season-low 22 percent from the field, struggling offensively against the Otterbein zone and the Lady Quakers fell 58-42 Wednesday in Ohio Athletic Conference action at Fred Raizk Arena in Hermann Court.
Despite the inability to make shots and to rebound effectively, Wilmington trailed by six with 9:05 remaining. The Lady Quakers had an one-minute possession that resulted in three missed shots, including two three-pointers, and two missed free throws. The Cardinals answered with back-to-back baskets to push the lead double figures. WC got the lead under nine briefly, but couldn't get any closer.
"We got three shots at it," said Wilmington head coach Jerry Scheve. "We missed a couple of three's, and if we make one - we have a new ballgame.
"I thought defensively, we played well," Scheve added. "We contained their transition offense. It was just a struggled offensively all night."
Not only did Wilmington struggle to get quality shots, the Lady Quakers weren't hitting the offensively glass the way they were used to. WC entered the game leading the OAC in offensive rebounding, but was held to just three offensive boards in the first half. They managed just two second-chance points in the half.
The Lady Quakers hit the glass more aggressively in the second half, grabbing 10 offensive boards and outrebounded Otterbein 23-19. The second-half margin enabled WC to win the battle on the glass. It was just the second time in 11 games, Wilmington won the rebounding margin and lost the game.
Wilmington attempted 54 shots, 21 of which were three-pointers, and it made just four. Sophomore sharpshooter Spencer Robles (Clyde, OH/Clyde) was just 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, while senior Emily Zimmerman (Beavercreek, OH/Beavercreek) was just 1-of-5.
As a result of the long-range shooting, leading scorer Brianna Peters (Alexandria, KY/Campbell County) wasn't able to get quality touches. She was limited to four points on 1-of-4 shooting.
Junior Makenzie Wippel (Orient, OH/Westfall) scored a team-high nine points, while junior Bethany Ahrens (Versailles, OH/Versailles) added a season-high eight points with six rebounds. Senior Bria Eslick (Cleveland Heights, OH/Lutheran East) pulled down a team-high seven boards.
Wilmington (9-5 overall, 5-2 OAC) hits the road for two pivotal contests, starting Saturday against #24 Mount Union before traveling to #10 Ohio Northern.
"We are a team that is having a pretty good year," said Scheve. "But, we also know we have to be 100 percent ready for every game. If we are not, we will have problems."