ALLIANCE, Ohio - The University of Mount Union, which trailed 38-32 at halftime, poured in 48 second-half points to defeat the Wilmington College women's basketball team 80-74 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) action on Saturday afternoon. The 80 points marks just the third time WC has surrendered that many in a game. Additionally, the 74 points are the most the Fightin' Quakers have scored in conference play thus far this season.
After neither team led by more than four points, the Purple Raiders opened what proved to be a wild second quarter by scoring 10-of-14 points to build a 24-17 advantage just over three minutes into the period. The Fighitn' Quakers answered, however, and in a big way as the visitors scored 20 unanswered points over a five-minute span that included four triples, two off the hands of Kenned Lewis. Unfortunately for WC, the quarter ended just how it started as the hosts cut a 13-point deficit to six (38-32) at halftime.
Mount Union made six of its first seven shots from the field in the third quarter, but Wilmington kept pace as two Jaylah Captain free throws made it a one-score game (55-52) after 30 minutes. Starts of quarters proved to go the host's way all four times as the Purple Raiders hit two triples and scored the first eight points to build their largest lead of the game at 63-62 with eight mintues to play. A Brooke Davis triple followed by two Haley Cook free throws kept WC within striking distance, but a 16-6 rebounding advantage in the fourth quarter would start to take its toll. Two Mount Union free throws with 2:28 to play gave the hosts a 74-60 advantage that looked to end the game.
Wilmington didn't go away quietly, however, as a 12-2 run over the next two minutes fueled by trips to the free throw line got the visitors within four points (76-72). Mount Union would hit free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
Both teams shot between 40-45 percent from the field and between 30-40 percent from distance with the Purple Raiders making one more field goal and two more triples. The Quakers shot better from the free throw line (17-of-21 for 81 percent), but couldn't overcome a 46-30 disparity in rebounding.
Despite shooting just 4-of-16 from the field, Emma Cannon led all scorers with 18 points while Isi Palamone added 14 points and eight rebounds. Madison Hensley added a dozen points off the bench for Mount Union, which played 14 players in the game. Wilmington had four players - Lewis, Davis, Captain and Cassidy Lovett - score in double figures with Lewis leading the way with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Haley Cook added nine points and a team-best eight rebounding while Kenzie Campbell, who also scored nine points, had six assists and three steals.
Wilmington continues its OAC slate by hosting Muskingum University on Wednesday evening. Tip-off from Fred Raizk Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
