It was a combination of old and new that helped boost the Wilmington College women's basketball team to the 68-59 victory over Marietta Saturday in Ohio Athletic Conference action at Fred Raizk Arena.
Senior Haley Howard (Uhrichsville, OH/New Philadelphia) and freshman Brittaney Jefferson (Dayton, OH/Chaminade Julienne) each tallied career-high's in aiding WC's win. Howard scored at least 20 points for the third straight game, tallying 22 points. She was a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line. It was the third most made free throws without a miss in school history.
Jefferson, who is more known for her driving ability, made 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in scoring 21 points. Three of her four long distance bombs came as Marietta was trying to get back in the game.
With Howard on the bench after picking up her third foul, Marietta promptly trimmed the Fightin' Quakers' lead from 10 down to two. Wilmington was 0-for-5 with a turnover during the run. But Jefferson nailed a three-pointer with 15:51 remaining, and then answered a MC three with one of her own.
Another Pioneers three-pointer trimmed Wilmington's lead to five with 11:44 left, but once again Jefferson answered, pushing the WC lead back to eight. Marietta never pulled to within one possession for the rest of the game.
As Jefferson held MC at bay, Howard took over the reigns and brought home the victory. Howard was 10-of-10 over the last 10 minutes of the second half. Her ability to get to the line were part of Wilmington's edge at the free throw line. WC made more free throws (25) than the Pioneers attempted (17).
Four different players -Jefferson, Howard, senior Makenzie Wippel (Orient, OH/Westfall) and freshman Hannah Haeseker (Germantown, OH/Valley View) - all had six rebounds in the victory as WC won the rebounding margin 39-36.
Sophomore Ashley Andracki (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson) provided excellent minutes last in the first half when WC had four players, including all three starting guards, on the bench with two fouls. She pulled down four rebounds in five minutes.
Wippel added 10 points for the Fightin' Quakers as six of her boards were on the offensive end.
Wilmington (4-3 overall, 2-0 OAC) will take the week off for exams before returning to the court 3 p.m. Saturday, hosting Baldwin Wallace.
