Team Effort Leads to OAC Win
The Heidelberg College women’s basketball team gave first-year head coach Marcie Alberts an early Christmas present, her first Ohio Athletic Conference victory. The Berg had 13 players reach the scoring column en route to an 83-54 victory over visiting Marietta College today, December 20. The win is the first on the year in the OAC for the Berg who stands at 1-3 and are 3-6 overall, while Marietta falls to 2-9 overall and 0-4 in OAC action.
Heidelberg opened with three from long range in its first four possessions to take an early 9-2 lead and never looked back. Its first half lead was extended out to as many as 13 points on three occasions and the Berg was on top 32-22 at the break.
Stacey Richard (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing) opened the second half with a trey that ignited a 13-0 run and built a 21-point advantage for the Berg, 43-22, after less than five minutes of action. Heidelberg’s defense held the Pioneers at bay and allowed them to pull within just 19 points following its second half run to start things off.
For the game, Heidelberg shot 44.1 percent (30-of-68) from the field compared to a 28.3 clip (17-of-60) by the Pioneers. The Berg also held a commanding 53-34 advantage on the glass, including a 24-18 difference on the offense boards.
Richard led the way with 15 points, including a 3-for-4 performance from behind the arc. Jenny Miller (Tiffin, Ohio / Clyde) produced a double-double consisting of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Morgan Harrigan (Urbana, Ohio / Urbana) dropped in nine points and Ashley Hawley (Sullivan, Ohio / Black River) came off the bench to contribute a season-high nine points as well. Betsy Shrider (Mount Blanchard, Ohio / Riverdale) tied her career-high with eight points. Backing Miller on the glass was Brittany Skolnicki (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview) and Alyssa Esposito (Brecksville, Ohio / Brecksville-Broadview Heights) with five rebounds each.
Nikki Driscoll led three in double figures for Marietta with a game-high 18 points, while Amanda Carraher finished with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Heidelberg faces a nine day layoff for the holiday season and will return to action at the Ohio Wesleyan University Tournament Dec. 29-30.