The momentum was seemingly turning and Wilmington College head coach turned to his bench to stem the tide.
It worked as freshman Morgan Ritz hit a pivotal three-pointer to help the Wilmington women's basketball team post the 64-49 victory over Heidelberg in Ohio Athletic Conference action in Fred Raizk Arena at Hermann Court.
"They cut it to four with pretty much our starting team out there (in the third quarter)," said Wilmington head coach Jerry Scheve. "We went to three or four subs, and that is when it turned around. The biggest basket of the game was Morgan's three that put us up seven, and gave us a feeling of 'okay we stop (the run)' and we just took off."
Ritz' (Seymour, IN/Seymour) three-pointer sparked a 13-0 run, 11 straight points to end the third quarter, and the Fightin' Quakers had a double-figure lead it wouldn't relinquish. It was a run that many didn't feel would be necessary early in the game.
Senior Mary Moyer (Martinsville, OH/Clinton Massie) tallied eight of Wilmington's 17 points during a 17-2 spurt that spanned the first and second periods. Once that scoring spurt was over, the Fightin' Quakers' lead was 14 points.
However, the seeds of a Student Princes' comeback were being planted late in the second period.
"We got stagnant offensively in the second quarter, and at the same time, we quit guarding on the other end and gave them the shots they wanted," said Scheve. "It got them back in the game at halftime. That was the disappointing thing. They are a very good team. When you get someone down, you have to keep them there."
Wilmington won the game despite shooting 11 percent (2-of-17) from beyond the arc. However, the Fightin' Quakers shot 40 percent (26-of-65) from the field and hit the glass to the tune of 16 offensive boards. The 16 offensive rebounds enabled WC to hold a plus-three edge in rebounding.
"We beat Mount Union a week ago when everything went right for us," said Scheve. "We have to be a team that can win games when things are not going right, and you do that by playing defense and rebounding. Today was one of those days when we didn't shoot the ball well and played fairly well defensively. The ting I liked the most was our offensive rebounding."
Moyer tallied her ninth career double-double and the second of the season with a 18 points and 10 rebounds.
"She figured out what she could do to get some easy shots," said Scheve. "We ran some pick and roll stuff that wasn't designed to go to her, but she got herself open on the roll and she got three or four easy baskets."
Sophomore Mackenzie Campbell (Cincinnati, OH/Turpin) added 10 points and six rebounds.
Wilmington (5-2 overall, 2-1 OAC) will have a week off for exams before returning to the court 3 p.m. December 17th hosting Marietta.
