(ADA, Ohio) - Wilmington fought hard in the first half but could not overcome Ohio Northern in the second half, falling 65-39 on the road Wednesday night. 

The Polar Bears and Quakers came out trading baskets in the first quarter. After an opening three by the hosts, Stephanie Altstaetter made back-to-back layups with each assisted by Jazz Johnson. Ohio Northern responded with another three and a layup. Katie Dryer had a tip-in for the green and white. Altstaetter forced a deal and on the ensuing possession Dryer found Johnson who nailed a three.  

Trailing 10-9 with 4:41 left in the first quarter, Taija Walker had two consecutive blocks against the same Polar Bear. Each team struggled to shoot for nearly a minute until Altstaetter got the Quakers ahead 11-10, assisted by Olivia Trusty. Ohio Northern retook the lead 12-11 until Wilmington went on a 6-0 run to close the quarter. Johnson had a layup, followed by a steal from Sierra McCoin who found Trusty for a layup. Gabby Russell knocked two free throws down, sending the Quakers into the second quarter leading 17-12. 

Dryer hit a jumper to extend the lead to 19-14 before the hosts rattled off nine straight points to lead 23-19. Johnson drained another three and Trusty scored a layup to retake the lead. Altstaetter had a late layup, but the hosts entered the half leading 29-26 after going on a 7-3 run.  

Ohio Northern began to pull away from Wilmington in the third quarter. Russell opened the scoring with a free throw before the hosts went on a 6-0 run. Reese Pittman hit a three with 4:09 left, cutting the deficit to 35-30. The Polar Bears offense took over, ending the third quarter with a comfortable 45-32 lead over the Quakers. 

Jazz Johnson hit another three to open the fourth, but the Quakers still trailed 51-35. Ohio Northern remained in control in the fourth quarter and closed out the match with a 65-39 win.  

Notables 

• Jazz Johnson led Wilmington with 12 points. The guard shot 4-7 from the field and 3-5 from deep. Johnson grabbed five rebounds, grabbed three steals, and dished out two assists.  

• Stephanie Altstaetter scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds. She added two steals and one block.  

• Olivia Trusty scored six points while securing two rebounds, two assists, a block, and one steal. 

• Wilmington had 10 steals and five blocks, while Ohio Northern only had three blocks and nine steals. 

What's Up Next 

The Quakers return home on Saturday to host Marietta College and celebrate their Alumni Day at 4:00 P.M.