WILMINGTON, Ohio - Michelle Lee poured in a career-high 22 points and nine rebounds to lift the Wilmington College women's basketball team to an 84-76 victory over Hiram College in the consolation final of the 2019 Fred Raizk Memorial Tournament on Saturday.
The Terriers took a five-point lead (21-16) late in the first quarter, but the Quakers flipped the script and took a five-point (26-21) lead of their own on two Kelly Noll free throws at the 7:04 mark of the second quarter. Hiram got back to within a basket three minutes later, but a 9-0 Wilmington run to end the half capped by two Kennedy Lewis free throws gave the hosts a 44-32 lead at the break.
That lead wouldn't even last five minutes, however, as Hiram opened the half on a 14-2 run capped by an Ashauna Wright jumper to tie the game 46-46. Wilmington scored the next five points on an Elise Carpenter triple and two Lewis free throws, but the Terriers would battle back to their first lead (56-55) since early in the second quarter. A McKayla Binkley jumper gave the hosts a 57-56 advantage after three quarters.
Hiram would remain within a possession or two, but couldn't regain the lead. The visitors trailed just 64-63 with 6:13 to play, but three straight baskets from Wilmington, two from Hannah Binkley and one from Michelle Lee, gave the Quakers a seven-point edge it wouldn't relinquish. Lee would score 3-of-4 possessions down the stretch to seal the victory.
Wilmington shot 46.8 percent (29-of-62) from the field compared to 39.4 percent (28-of-71) for Hiram. The Terriers made one more three-pointer (6-5) while the Quakers made 21-of-26 (80.8 percent) of their free throw attempts.
The visitors had 14 steals that forced 24 total turnovers while the hosts dominated the glass with a 49-27 rebounding advantage.
Individually, Wright led all scorers with 26 points for Hiram while Madison Branch had 21 and Alainna Conroy scored 18.
Lee led Wilmington with her 22 points and nine rebounds, marking her best statistical game in a Wilmington uniform. McKayla Binkley added 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, eight rebounds and five assists. Hannah Binkley (15 points) and Lewis (13 points) also scored in doubles figures while Kelly Noll and seven points and nine rebounds.
Albion College won the tournament by defeating Franklin College 74-68. Members of the All-Tournament team include: Rain Hinton of Albion (MVP), Bayleigh Walker of Franklin, Elena Walker of Albion, Jenna Cowart of Franklin, Michelle Lee of Wilmington and Madison Branch of Hiram.
Wilmington (2-2) has a week off before hosting Earlham College in the Quaker Bowl Rivalry on Monday, Dec. 2.
