WILMINGTON, Ohio - The Wilmington College women's basketball team withstood a sharp shooting performance from Muskingum University in the first half to defeat the Muskies 86-77 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play on Wednesday evening.
Muskingum, which game into the game shooting under 28 percent from beyond the arc, made 9-of-19 triples in the first half including one from Erica Hyre with five seconds left in the second quarter. The Muskies looked to trail by just four going in the break, but a Kennedy Lewis heave from midcourt banked home giving the Quakers a 43-36 lead.
Wilmington opened a double-digit lead early in the third quarter, but Muskingum, searching for its first OAC win of the year, battled back to the tie game late in the period. The Quakers ended the third with a McKayla Binkley jumper, and a quick 8-0 run to open the fourth on baskets from Savannah Hooper, Mackenzie Campbell and Lewis put the hosts back ahead by double digits (68-58).
Muskingum could not get closer than eight points the rest of the way as Wilmington secured its 10th consecutive win over the Muskies.
Wilmington made 29-of-67 (43.3 percent) from the field along with 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) from three-point range. Muskingum made 12-of-27 (44.4 percent) on shots beyond the arc and just 9-of-35 (25.7 percent) from two-point range. Both teams made 23 free throws while the Quakers held a 43-41 rebounding edge.
Individually, Lewis scored a career-high 25 points on 7-of-12 from the field along with a 9-of-10 performance from the free throw line. Campbell poured in a season-high 20 points paired with a perfect 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. Faith Teaford added nine rebounds while Kelly Noll added three steals.
Emily Yeager led Muskingum with 22 points in defeat.
Wilmington improves to an even 11-11 on the season and 6-9 in the OAC. The Quakers head to Marietta College for a 3 p.m. game on Saturday.
