VIDEO INTERVIEW - JERRY SCHEVE
WILMINGTON, Ohio - The Wilmington College women's basketball team jumped out to a 42-20 lead at halftime and road it to victory in a 75-55 triumph over Grove City College (Pennsylvania) in the first game of the 2018 Damon's/Hampton Inn Tip-Off Tournament on Friday evening.
Kelly Noll sparked the Quakers early with two three-points as well as taking two charges. McKayla Binkley also poured in four points in the first several minutes including an old-fashioned, three-point play that put Wilmington ahead 10-2. A Savannah Hooper triple at the 1:10 mark of the first quarter put the Quakers up dozen.
Grove City (1-1) would get within 10 midway through the second quarter on a Sedona Campbell layup, but that would be the final basket the Wolverines would score in the half. Wilmington went on a 12-0 run over the final 4:49 capped by a McKayla Binkley layup off a pass from Ellen Nilback.
The Wolverines, who finished 18-10 as members of the President's Athletic Conference (PAC) last season, outscored the Quakers 21-19 in the third quarter and got with 14 points (61-47) with 8:15 to play in regulation. Wilmington answered the triples from both McKayla and Hannah Binkley along with a free throw from Faith Teaford to put the game out of reach and win the season-opener.
Wilmington finished 29-of-61 (47.5 percent) from the field including a 10-of-20 (50.0 percent) mark from distance. Grove City made 23-of-70 (32.9 percent) field goals, but converted just 2-of-10 three-point attempts. The Quakers won the rebounding battle 45-42 as well as dishing out 21 assists in the game.
Individually, four players scored in double figures for the Quakers. McKayla Binkley led the way with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field while Kelly Noll, who finished 4-of-5, had 13 points. Hannah Binkley chipped in a dozen off the bench while Teaford added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Kennedy Lewis, who started her first collegiate game at point guard, dished out seven assists compared to just one turnover.
Kate Balcom and Jess Brown led Grove City in defeat with 14 and 11 points respectively.
Grove City plays Kenyon College in game two of the Damon's/Hampton Inn Tip-Off Classic tomorrow (Saturday) at 3 p.m. Wilmington (1-0) will host the Ladies on Sunday at 2 p.m.
