WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Wilmington College women's basketball team closes out the 2022 calendar year with a trip to The University of Mount Union on New Year's Eve. Tip-off from the McPherson Academic & Athletic Center is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The Teams: Wilmington and Mount Union. The Quakers are 7-3 on the season and 1-2 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) contests having most recently defeated rival Earlham College 70-54 on Dec. 17. The Purple Raiders are 4-6 overall and 1-2 in conference games. Mount Union most recently lost 74-47 to Ohio Wesleyan University on the road on Dec. 20.
The Coaches: Wilmington is under the direction of third-year Head Coach Janel Blankespoor, who is in her fourth season with the program having been interim coach during the 2020-21 season and the program's top assistant the two years prior. The 2007 Otterbein College alumna spent stints at Mount Union and Earlham College before coming to Wilmington. Suzy Venet, one of the most decorated players in NCAA Division III women's basketball history, has been the head coach at her alma mater for the last 18 seasons. She's won over 279 games during that stretch that included a 28-2 campaign during the 2010-11 season.
The Players: Fifth-year senior Kennedy Lewis leads Wilmington in scoring (1.26 PPG), rebounding (5.6 RPG) and assists (3.1 APG) and averages over 30 minutes a contest. A pair of freshman - Jada Pohlen and Marisa Seiler - score over seven points a game with Seiler joining Lewis in grabbing over five rebounds a game. Seniors Zahrya Bailey and Cassidy Lovett both tally two steals a game. A trio of Purple Raiders - Gretchen Koken, Ali Hudik and Emma Cannon - score in double figures with Koken leading the team in scoring (11.3 PPG) and rebounding (6.9 RPG).
Tale of the Tape: Points per game – Wilmington 60.8, Mount Union 67.9; opponents' points per game – Wilmington 56.3, Mount Union 67.8; field goal percentage – Wilmington 34.9, Mount Union 34.8; three-point percentage – Wilmington 24.2, Mount Union 27.3; free throw percentage – Wilmington 78.2, Mount Union 73.8; rebounding margin – Wilmington +4.0, Mount Union +4.8; assist-to-turnover ratio – Wilmington 0.69, Mount Union 0.80.
Coaching Connection: Blankespoor served as an assistant coach for Venet at Mount Union for a three-year run that included a 70-11 record and three trips to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament.
Recent History: Wilmington is 30-17 against Mount Union since joining the OAC prior to the 2000 season. The Purple Raiders won last year's meeting 80-74. More information can be viewed by visiting the link above.
Tickets: Hometown Ticketing will be used for the game. Fans are encouraged to purchase digital tickets prior to game time at the pink above.
Coverage: Live statistics and live video of the game will be available – visit the links above.
Social Media: Wilmington athletics is represented on Facebook (Wilmington College Athletics), Twitter (@DubCQuakers) and Instagram (@DubCQuakers). Follow all the happenings of Wilmington College on social media by using the hashtag "#WeAreDubC".
Up Next: Wilmington will open 2023 by hosting Capital University on Wednesday, Jan. 4.
