Women's Basketball Continues Strong OAC Showing With 58-43 Win Over Otterbein

The Heidelberg College women’s basketball team won its second-consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference game today with a 58-43 victory over visiting Otterbein College. The Berg jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back en route to its seventh victory on the year. Overall Heidelberg stands at 7-6 on the season and 3-4 in the OAC, while the Cardinals fell to 7-7 overall and 3-4 in league action with the loss.

Heidelberg made its presence known from tip-off, jumping out to a 10-0 lead behind four points from Brittany Skolnicki (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview) and three rebounds. Otterbein finally reached the scoreboard with 16:15 on the clock with an Ana Gamble three-pointer to put a halt to Heidelberg’s early surge. The Berg kept its composure and extended its lead to as many as 13 points, 20-7, on a Skolnicki lay up with eight minutes to play in the opening half. The Cardinals pulled within seven points on two occasions with the latter coming on an Alyson Sheppard lay up to send the game into the locker room with the Berg on top 25-18.

The second half featured an early see saw battle, which eventually saw the Cardinals scored back-to-back three-pointers to pull within two points, 34-32, with just over 10 minutes remaining. Behind five points from Skolnicki, Heidelberg did not relinquish its lead and surged ahead by double-digits once again following a Sarah Kesse (Cincinnati, Ohio / Colerain) jumper with 5:32 left in the game. Over the final four minutes of the game, Heidelberg outscored Otterbein 14-9 to post a 58-43 victory.

The Heidelberg defense forced Otterbein to turn the ball over 22 times and out rebounded the visitors 42-36, including a 15-9 margin on the offensive glass.

Skolnicki led three in double figures with 21 points, to go along with six rebounds. Amanda Campbell (Pataskla, Ohio / Watkins Memorial) finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists while Stacey Richard (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing) chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds. Leading the way on the glass was freshman Jenny Miller (Tiffin, Ohio / Clyde) with a game-high nine rebounds. Miller also added four points, two assists and a steal.

Otterbein was led by Gamble with 15 points and Karli Volkmer with eight rebounds.

Heidelberg, under the guidance of Karen McConnell, returns to action at Capital University Jan. 16. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday’s contest with the Crusaders marks the first of four-straight on the road for Heidelberg. The Berg will return to Tiffin for a 7:30 p.m. match up with Ohio Northern University Jan. 30.