(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - Celebrating Senior Day, Wilmington fell to Baldwin Wallace 87-67 on Saturday afternoon. Prior to tonight's contest, the Quakers celebrated their two seniors, Stephanie Altstaetter and Reese Pittman.
The Quakers jumped ahead in the first quarter with their efficient offense. Stephanie Altstaetter scored a layup, assisted by Sierra McCoin with 6:33 to go. On the next possession Jazz Johnson found McCoin who drained a three. Johnson grabbed a rebound and Olivia Trusty scored a layup, putting Wilmington ahead 10-4 with 5:18 left in the first quarter. Baldwin Wallace clawed back, but Gabby Russell scored two straight layups to keep a tight lead. The Yellow Jackets closed the quarter on a 6-2 run, taking a 24-19 lead.
A pair of free throws by Altstaetter and a three by Russell tied the pair 24-24, opening the second quarter. The visitors ran ahead 33-24 as Olivia Trusty scored two consecutive layups, cutting the deficit to five with 5:22 remaining. Two more layups by Russell kept the Quakers within nine points of the Yellow Jackets, whose offense continued to hum. Russell closed out the first half with another layup, as Wilmington trailed 43-34 going into the break.
The Yellow Jackets kept their lead opening the third quarter, extending their lead to 10. Trusty entered the zone, knocked down two free throws, a jump shot, and then another jumper, both assisted by Russell. The green and white trailed by six with 4:20 left in the third. Baldwin Wallace extended the lead to 10-plus once again, taking a 63-51 advantage into the fourth quarter.
McCoin had a steal and converted a layup to start the fourth. After a Baldwin Wallace layup, Trusty remained on fire with another deep three. With 7:14 remaining, Reese Pittman cashed in a deep three after Johnson found her wide open on the wing. Two Russell free throws cut the deficit to 14, but the visitors' offense proved to be too much for the Quakers. Taija Walker hit a free throw with a minute left, as Wilmington fell to Baldwin Wallace 87-67.
Notables
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Gabby Russell set a new career high with 25 points to lead the team. She shot 8-16 from the field and 8-10 from the charity stripe. She dished out four assists, had a team high three steals, and grabbed two rebounds.
Wilmington concludes their season going 6-19 overall, and 3-13 in conference play.