ALLIANCE – The Wilmington College women's basketball team fell to Mount Union Saturday, 72-63, in Ohio Athletic Conference action. The Fightin' Quakers wraps up the regular on a three-game losing streak, and losers in six of their last eight.

Mount Union opened the game by scoring 12 of the first 14 points, and never really turned back.

"We got off to a very slow start and couldn't make shots early," said Wilmington head coach Jerry Scheve. "The second half we competed much harder and much better. The ball didn't bounce our way late and we could finish."

Wilmington put up a fight, and pulled to within seven points late in the first half. However, they committed five straight turnovers to end the half. In that span, the Purple Raiders went on a 13-1 run to take a 19-point halftime lead.

Senior Makenzie Wippel (Orient, OH/Westfall) was a key contributor to a late run to had Wilmington knocking on the door of a huge comeback. She scored nine of the team's 18 points in their 18-4 run that pulled WC to within three points.

But the Purple Raiders scored all of their points in the 9-3 run from the free throw line to seal the win.

Wippel and senior Haley Howard (Uhrichsville, OH/New Philadelphia) combined for 32 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Wippel tallied 16 points and five rebounds, while Howard had 16 points, five rebounds, three asissts and three steals.

"They are playing the way you like seniors to play," said Scheve. "They have been leaders on the court all year long. They have given us two good, consistent scoring options. They are hurt by this loss, and they have something to prove in the tournament."

Freshman Brittaney Jefferson (Dayton, OH/Chaminade Julienne) recorded 10 points, a team-high four assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Wilmington (12-13 overall, 9-9 OAC) hosts Heidelberg 7:30 p.m. Monday in the first round of the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament.