Wooster uses big third quarter to pull away from Yellow Jackets

WOOSTER, Ohio - The College of Wooster Fighting Scots used a big third quarter, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 27-13 during the period to pull away for a 74-60 win early Saturday afternoon at Timken Gymnasium. 

The Yellow Jackets fall to 0-4 with the loss and Wooster picks up their first win to improve to 1-3.

The Fighting Scots won the opening tip and immediately scored three seconds into the game on a layup by Tatiyana Sturdivant. Taylor Bates scored two straight layups to give the Yellow Jackets their first lead of the season. Tied at nine with 2:47 left in the first quarter, the Yellow Jackets got buckets by Aliza Clark and Zadria King and two free throws from Addy Allen to take a 17-14 lead, but Wooster's Erica Beaty knocked down a buzzer beating three to make it 17-17 at the end of the first quarter in a tightly contested, back-and-forth first 10 minutes.

The Yellow Jackets regained the lead 20 seconds into the second quarter on a three-point play by Aliza Clark. The Yellow Jackets used a mini 6-0 run over the course of nearly five minutes to take a 29-21 lead, their largest of the game. Clark had all six points during the stretch. However, the Fighting Scots answered with their own run and outscored the Defiance 7-2 over the final 2:12 to get right back in it. Ella Biondi ended the half with a missed layup and putback to make it a three-point game at half. 

The Fighting Scots started the second half on a tear, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 16-4 over the first five minutes of third quarter action. Kaitlin Paul hit a big three to halt the momentum, but Wooster answered right back with a three of their own to regain the momentum and double digit advantage. Ali Mowen knocked down two threes to keep the Yellow Jackets within range, but they were still outscored by 14 in the quarter and trailed by 11 through three.

The Yellow Jackets pulled within eight points three times in the final quarter but were unable to get any closer as the Fighting Scots had an answer every time. Wooster in total outscored DC 46-29 in the second half en route to victory as they erased their halftime deficit. 

The Fighting Scots won the rebounding battle 51-36 and shot 40 percent compared to only 32 percent by the Yellow Jackets. 

Aliza Clark, Taylor Bates, and Ali Mowen all finished with career scoring performances. Clark scored 15, Bates 13, and Mowen nine. Bates grabbed a team-best seven rebounds. 

Alyssa Chritz poured in 25 points for Wooster.

The Yellow Jackets return home for a game against Kenyon on Tuesday, November 21 at 7 p.m.