NEW WILMINGTON, PA - Despite spending six hours on a bus, the women's basketball team at Heidelberg University got back on the winning track with a 60-51 win over Westminster College on Wednesday.
Junior Kathleen Phillips (Sandusky/St. Mary's) scored a season-high 27 points and freshman Erin Sims (Newark/Newark Catholic) grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds as the Student Princes improved to 5-5 on the season.
Heidelberg raced out to a 15-3 lead to open the game. Westminster would go on a run, tying the game on a 3-pointer by Gabby Holko with two minutes left in the first half.
Trailing by a point at halftime, Westminster controlled the tempo for the beginning of the second half. With 17:23 left to play, the Titans held a three point lead.
The Student Princes roared back with a 20-0 run in just under seven minutes of action. Freshman Allie Hawkins (Bucyrus) sparked the rally with two 3-pointers.
Following the run, Heidelberg maintained a comfortable edge the rest of the way en route to their fifth victory of the year.
"It was nice to jump back on the bus with a win," said head coach Marcie Alberts, in her fifth season. "To jump out of conference and pick up the 'W' should catapult us into Saturday's game with Wilmington."
Phillips had six rebounds and six assists to go along with her 27 points.
"'Philly' had a great night, all around," said Alberts. "When she plays like that, it opens up the game for the rest of the team."
Jordan Ickes (Wooster/Triway) and Paige Ricketts (Mineral City/Tusky Valley) continued their inspired play on both ends of the court. Ickes had six points and five boards while Ricketts added eight points and seven rebounds.
Heidelberg hosts Wilmington on Saturday in their final game in 2012. Tip-off is at 3 p.m.