SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Stiff defense and a couple big reasons to win propelled the Wittenberg women's basketball team to a defeat of the College of Wooster by a score of 67-35. The game followed the dedication of Pam Evans Smith Arena, giving the Tigers an added incentive to secure victory against the Scots.
The game's best moment came when senior post Katie Gregorevich (Northfield, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) scored her 1,000th career point on a long jumper with 7:25 left in the second half. She currently stands at number seven on the all-time scoring list, and joins six other Tiger women in the 1,000-point club, including head coach Sarah Jurewicz, holder of the team's all-time scoring mark at 1,297.
The Tigers went out to a 31-17 lead in the first half and never looked back. Wittenberg's 21 steals and superior post play overwhelmed the Scots, evidenced by the Tigers' 32 points in the paint. Wooster could not respond, posting 14 steals and just six points in the paint. Gregorevich led all players with 17 points, and Katherine Hueter (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) pulled down a game-best nine rebounds.
Rachel Kohlruss (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) continued her defensive prowess, pulling down six rebounds and adding a steal and four blocks in 11 minutes off the bench. The rest of the defensive crew also contributed, stifling the Scots' shooting efforts and holding them 27.5% overall, including a 21% second half. Stephanie Boardman (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley), also coming off the bench, earned her spot as the game's second leading scorer, draining 13 points and topping it off with six rebounds. On the season, Boardman is shooting a blistering .606 from the field.
The Tigers next face their biggest regular season game against conference leader Kenyon, which won the last meeting in Springfield. The game tips at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Gambier, Ohio.
Written by: John Strawn