Scots Fall In Championship Game Of Nan Nichols Tourney

Nara DeJesus

WOOSTER, Ohio - Led by a balanced offensive attack, Ohio Dominican College defeated host College of Wooster 78-65 in the championship game of the fifth annual Nan Nichols Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Timken Gymnasium.

Ohio Dominican, which improved to 6-3 on the year, held the lead for most of the contest, but had to withstand several runs by Wooster, which saw its overall record slip below .500 to 3-4.

With 12:22 to play in the game, the Scots owned a 46-44 advantage, but on the next possession the Panthers' Shelly Turner canned a three-pointer, which was the start of a 16-4 run for the visitors.

Ohio Dominican, which led 36-34 at halftime, had to withstand several Wooster rallies the rest of the way, including one in which the Scots cut the lead to 64-59, before securing the 13-point win.

Earning tournament Most Valuable Player honors for the Panthers was Erika Englund, who scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the title game, following a 25-point, 10-rebound outing in their 71-69 opening round win against Westminster College (Pa.).

Also receiving all-tournament honors for the champions were Julie Mueller, who had 18 points and 13 rebounds against Wooster, and Tracy Steinke, who registered 24 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists in the two-day event.

For Wooster, sophomore Nara DeJesus (Geneva, Ohio / Geneva) and senior Morgan Ramsdell (Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview) each garnered all-tournament recognition. DeJesus posted an impressive double-double of 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field and 17 rebounds, while Ramsdell totaled 19 points and seven boards.

Rounding out the all-tournament team was Ursuline College's Margie Kall, while the defensive Most Valuable Player went to Westminster's Jennifer Petures, who totaled nine steals.

Wooster does not play again until late December, when it will travel to California for two games. The Scots will take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Dec. 29, at 7 p.m., followed by a game against Chapman University on Dec. 30, at 3 p.m.