BEREA, OHIO -- The Baldwin-Wallace College women's basketball team opened its 2009-10 season with a 70-59 win versus Williams (Mass.) College this afternoon (Friday, November 20, 2009) during the opening round of the University of Rochester (N.Y.) Chuck Resler Tournament in Rochester, N.Y. The Yellow Jackets will play in the championship round tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.

In the first half, neither team was able to build  a lead of more than five points. B-W led by three on two separate occasions, the second coming at the 8:43 mark when junior All-Ohio Athletic Conference guard Amanda Schroeder (Columbus Grove) scored on a fastbreak layup to make the score 18-15.

Williams led by as many as five with 4:38 remaining when Jennie Harding canned a jumper to make the score 27-22. B-W responded with a 7-0 run capped by a three-pointer from freshman wing Jessica Carpenter (North Canton/ Hoover) with 3:05 left before half. Williams then outscored the Jackets 7-3 over the next 2:19 to lead 34-32 at the break.

In the second half, B-W moved ahead, 44-43, on a short jumper from senior center Ariel Brough (Powell/ Olentangy Liberty) with 13:22 left to play. The Jackets built their lead to nine, at 55-46, when freshman guard Olivia French (Bucyrus/ Colonel Crawford) scored on a three-pointer at the 7:32 mark to cap a 23-10 run.

The Jacket lead never slipped below seven the rest of the way and grew to as many as 13, 70-57, when Carpenter hit a free throw with :09 remaining. Williams got a layup in the final seconds to bring the final to 70-59.

The Yellow Jackets were led by Schroeder with a team-high 14 points. Carpenter and French scored 13 and 10, respectively, in their collegiate debuts, and Brough totaled 12 points and eight boards.

The Ephs were led by Taylor Shea with 18 points and eight rebounds.

B-W plays in the tourney title game tomorrow versus the winner of the Oneonta State (N.Y.) and Rochester (N.Y.) contest that will be played later this evening. The Yellow Jackets are home for the first time this season on Tuesday, Nov. 24 versus Cleveland cross-town rival Case Western Reserve University at 7:00 p.m. at Ursprung Gymnasium.