Thomas More Beats Wooster to Win Nan Nichols Tourney

Lindsey Schaaff

WOOSTER, Ohio - The College of Wooster women's basketball team finished as the runners-up at the 6th annual Nan Nichols Tournament for the third-straight year after falling to Thomas More College this afternoon in the championship game by a final count of 73-61.

Wooster (4-3) had trouble shooting from the field the entire game, as it shot 25.8 percent (8-of-31) in the opening half and followed that with a 33.3 percent (10-of-30) effort in the second.

Despite the Scots' shooting woes, Thomas More (6-3) could not put away the hosts. The Saints opened up an early 13-5 lead and built it to 28-18 before going into the break with a 35-27 advantage.

After Wooster scored the opening hoop in the second half, Thomas More went on a seemingly game-clinching 18-3 run to take a 20-point lead (53-33). However, the Scots showed their fight and came back with an 18-4 rally to get right back in it at 57-51 with 6:11 left.

The Saints responded though, scoring the next five points and led by double figures most of the rest of the way.

Individually, Wooster was paced by all-tournament selections Nara DeJesus (Geneva, Ohio / Geneva) and Molly Rallo (Aurora, Ohio / Beaumont School). DeJesus, a junior forward, scored 10 points despite an off-shooting night of 4-of-15 from the field, and grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds, while Rallo, a freshman point guard, had 10 points in 17 minutes of action.

For Thomas More, senior Bridget New earned Most Valuable Player honors with 18 points, while also earning all-tourney honors were sophomore Joanna Bess and junior Holly Roberts. Against the Scots, Bess produced 10 points, six rebounds, and six steals in 19 minutes off the bench, while Roberts totaled 13 points and 10 rebounds.

In the consolation game, Westminster (Pa.) College staved off several runs by Notre Dame College and hung on for a 70-66 victory. Westminster senior Robin Thayer led her squad with 16 points and added seven rebounds to get voted on to the all-tournament team, while Notre Dame senior Mandy Felice received defensive Most Valuable Player honors after totaling a tournament-record 17 steals.

Next, Wooster is off for final exams and will then play at Ursuline College on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.