ADA, Ohio - In a defensive contest that featured neither team shooting particularly well from the field, distance or the free throw line, Ohio Northern University edged the Wilmington College women's basketball team 57-52 in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) contest at the ONU Sports Center on Wednesday evening.
The Polar Bears scored on their first three possessions of the game, but a basket from Kennedy Lewis and an old-fashioned, three-point play from Brooke Stover kept the Quakers within a basket at 7-5. A Brynn Serbin free throw and triple followed, but WC wouldn't allow a basket over the final 6:21 of the quarter. During that time, Jada Pohlen and Bekah Bowser connected on three-pointers while Lewis added a layup with a foul. ONU looked to take a lead into the second quarter, but Bowser's aforementioned triple put the Quakers ahead 15-13.
Teams traded baskets to open the second quarter, but then it was the Polar Bears' turn for a defensive stand. The hosts didn't also a point for nearly eight minutes and opened up a 12-point advantage on a Brooke Allen layup with 2:23 to play. Trailing 29-17, the Quakers scored the final seven points of the half as Lewis scored four and Pohlen three.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern as the second. The Polar Bears opened up a 12-point advantage late with 2:29 to play, but this time, Jaylah Captain kept WC within striking distance as the sophomore nailed consecutive triples. The Circleville native also hit the last basket of the quarter to pull the Quakers within six at 42-36.
Wilmington would get as close as four points (52-48) with a minute to play, but an offensive rebound putback on the ensuing possession gave ONU a cushion it wouldn't relinquish.
Both teams finished under 40 percent from the field and seven made triples. The Polar Bears made two more field goals (20-18) and one more free throw (10-9) to make-up the difference. The hosts, who entered the game with a near plus-15 rebounding advantage per game, won the battle of the boards 43-37.
ONU, which is two spots away from being ranked in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll, was led by 18 points from Allen while Kasey Knippen had 14 points. Kristen Luersman added eight points and 11 rebounds.
Pohlen finished with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals in 26 minutes off the bench to lead Wilmington. Lewis added a dozen, all of which were scored in the first half, as well as seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Wilmington (5-3, 0-2 OAC) will host Heidelberg University at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
