Bethany Women's Basketball Rolls to 85-77 Victory Against Ohio Wesleyan
Nov. 20 – HOLLAND, Mich. – The Bethany College women's basketball team opened the Hope College Tournament with an 85-77 win over Ohio Wesleyan University on Friday evening.
After trailing early in the first quarter, the Bison (2-0) used a 6-0 run to take a slight advantage over the Bishops (0-2), 6-5.
The two teams exchanged baskets the remainder of the quarter as the Bishops held a 19-16 lead.
Bethany quickly took the lead at the opening of the second quarter as Alexis Naples (Salem, Ohio/South Range) and Hayley Holenka (Shadyside, Ohio/Shadyside) knocked down consecutives triples. A jumper from Kelsea Daugherty (Newport, Ohio/Frontier) capped off an 8-0 run that gave the Bison a 24-19 lead with 8:11 remaining.
The Green & White used another 8-0 run at the end of the half as they extended their lead to double digits, 44-34. The Bishops scored at the buzzer to cut the Bison lead to eight, 44-36.
Bethany picked up where they left off after another three from Holenka and a layup from freshman Ashley Duthrie (Madison, Ohio/Madison) gave the Bison a 13-point lead (56-43) with 5:38 remaining.
The Bishops used another late shot to get within six, 62-56, at the end of the third.
Bethany held the Bishops at bay in the fourth quarter, never letting them get closer than six. Late free throws from Mikyla Tipton (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville) and Sami Schott (Caldwell, Ohio/Shenandoah) sealed the victory, 85-77.
Offensively, the Bison had three players score in double figures. Daughtery recorded her second double-double of the year with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Naples added 11 to go along with eight assists, and Holenka finished with 17 points and seven rebounds.
Tipton posted eight points and four assists, while Duthrie and Schott had six points, each.
The Green & White forced 18 turnovers, including 10 steals. Gabrielle Naples (Salem, Ohio/South Range) led the Bison with four steals. She also added seven points and three boards.
Bethany will return to court as they take on the winner of Hope College/Monmouth College on Saturday, November 21.
