Jackets Defeat Wittenberg, In 2011-12 Season Opener

Posted: Nov 15, 2011

BEREA, OHIO -- Sophomore guard Jessica Lairson (Louisville) scored a career and game-high 21 points as the Baldwin-Wallace College women's basketball team defeated Wittenberg University, 56-53, tonight (Tuesday, November 15, 2011) in the Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Center. This was the second game of a men's and women's basketball doubleheader as the B-W men defeated Case Western Reserve University 73-60 in the first game.

The Yellow Jackets have now won nine straight games over the Tigers; including the last three season openers. In addition, B-W has won its last seven season openers dating back to the 2005-06 season.

In addition to Lairson, junior guard Rachel Rossman (Olmsted Falls) contributed nine points, including the final two with 17 seconds remaining. Wittenberg was led by Sarah Watson with 14 points and Kim Replogle with 10.

The Tigers jumped out to a five point lead on baskets by Amber Lara and Watson before B-W got its first points of the season of a layup by Lairson at the 18:05 mark of the first half.

Wittenberg then used a 9-0 run to increase its lead to 15-4 before a three-pointer by freshman guard Shari Mangas (Leipsic) with 14:34 remaining.

The Yellow Jackets used a 6-0 run of their own to tie the game at 14-14 on a layup by Lairson at the 11:36 mark. B-W outscored the Tigers 17-10 over the remainder of the half to take a 31-24 advantage into the intermission.

Wittenberg opened the second half on a 6-3 run to cut the Yellow Jacket lead down to just four points (34-30) with 15:00 minutes remaining in the game. B-W then went on a 5-2 run on a basket by senior forward Catherine Spisak (Sandusky/St. Mary's Central Catholic) and a three-pointer by Rossman.

Undaunted, the Tigers used a 7-0 run and tied the game (39-39) on a layup by Kim Replogle with 10:48 remaining in the half. It marked the fourth time that game was tied.

The Yellow Jackets opened up a five point lead (46-41) as Lairson connected on a shot from three-point land and then scored on a layup after stealing the ball and going the length of the floor with 7:00 minutes remaining.

Wittenberg would battle back and take its first lead of the game (51-50) since the 12:25 mark of the first half when Replogle connected on a layup with 2:37 left to play.

B-W would outscore the Tigers 56-53 over the remainder of the game to secure the three-point victory.

The Yellow Jackets are back in action this weekend Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19 when they will travel to Manchester, Indiana to compete in the Manchester College Bankers Classic. B-W will take on Denison University on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. and will play either St. Mary's College of Indiana or host Manchester on Saturday at 1:00 or 3:00 p.m.

FOR MORE B-W Sports Information, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu. or Assistant SID Jeff Miller by phone at 440-826-2780 and email at jefmille@bw.edu Fans can access the latest B-W athletics information at www.bw.edu/athletics and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.