Lady Quakers defeat Raiders

WC wins second straight

|Box Score|

January 14, 2006

Kelly Peters and Katie Streck combined for 28 points and 16 rebounds as Wilmington College grinded its way past Mount Union, 55-43, in Ohio Athletic Conference play Saturday at Fred Raizk Arena. The win is the second straight for the Lady Quakers, who are now 6-2 in the OAC, 11-4 overall. The Raiders fall to 4-4 in the conference and 9-6 for the season.

"I was real happy with our team today. That was a hard-fought win against a good, solid basketball team that just doesn't make a lot of mistakes," WC head coach Jerry Scheve said. "They wanted a slow-tempo game, and they got that. It's the first game like that we've been in this year. When you're not used to playing at that tempo, every shot becomes a little more important ... and I think that had an effect on us. But we kept battling."

The Lady Quakers entered the game averaging an OAC-leading 80 points per game, but it was clear from the opening tip that the Raiders were not interested in a track meet. Mount Union's deliberate offense and rugged defense created 40 minutes of half-court basketball. Wilmington — behind 10 first-half points from Peters (Spencerville) and a stifling defense that shut out the Raiders the last nine minutes of the half — took a 26-21 halftime lead.

The Raiders stuck around and took a 35-33 lead at 12:05 when Alicia Williams scored two of her team-high 16 points. Wilmington's bench — led by Abby Newhouse (Florence, Ky./Boone County), Kellyn Tisci (Findlay) and Shawna Thomas (Middletown) — lit the fuse on a 14-3 spurt that was capped by a Peters lay-in and a Streck (Dayton/Carroll) three-pointer.

"We got some kids in there off the bench that just kind of upped the energy level and got us some turnovers and easy baskets," Scheve said. "I told Abby in the locker room that's the best game she's played in three years here. She's just really come on the last couple weeks to earn playing time. Energy is a big word for me, and I thought she just brought energy for us off the bench. She was the first kid who really got her hands on some offensive boards and gave a stronger effort to go get the ball. In the second half, getting those offensive rebounds become a real key for us."

Williams scored at 3:22 to cut WC's lead to 47-43, but the Lady Quakers scored on five of their next six possessions to put the final eight points of the game on the scoreboard.

Peters scored 16 points and collected eight rebounds, Streck added 12 points and eight boards, Newhouse finished with seven points and four rebounds, Sam Hood (Lockbourne/Teays Valley) contributed six points and five boards and Erica Smith (Union/Northmont) added five points.

Both teams shot 31 percent from the field. Wilmington won the rebounding battle, 50-39. The Lady Quakers turned the ball over 14 times and forced 19 Mount Union miscues.

"I think this game should give our team some confidence," Scheve said. "They knew this was a good team they were playing. They knew that they would have to play well. After battling for 30 minutes and opening up a little lead; I think that's real important for their self confidence."

The Lady Quakers travel to Capital University Wednesday for an OAC showdown with the No. 10 Crusaders. Capital posted its sixth straight win Saturday, defeating Otterbein, 65-59.