BEREA, Ohio – Four Baldwin Wallace University women's basketball players hit double-digit scoring in a 72-54 non-conference victory over Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) College in the team's home opener inside Ursprung Gymnasium.
Senior leadership proved beneficial for the Yellow Jackets (4-0) as senior two-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference guard Hannah Fecht (Hilliard/Davidson) and senior Academic All-OAC forward Rachel Womeldorf (Lewis Center/Olentangy) each posted 12 points. Womeldorf also had a career-high four blocks. Junior Academic All-OAC guard Kasey Hughes (Springboro) and freshman forward Lilly Edwards (Dublin/Coffman) poured in 10 points apiece. Edwards led the rebounding corps as well, notching the second double-double of her young career with a career-high 13 boards including nine on the offensive glass.
Sophomore guard Lauren Gilbert led the Presidents (2-4) with a game-high 13 points while sophomore forward Alie Seto added 10 points of her own. Senior forward Danielle Parker hit a milestone during the game as she scored her 1,000th career point and racked up eight points overall.
W&J got off to a quick 4-0 start and led 8-3 at the 6:58 mark, forcing BW on its heels. Womeldorf answered with a layup to bring the Yellow Jackets within three points of the lead, which kick started an 11-0 run to finish off the quarter.
The run continued into the second period as Hughes got the scoring started with a three-pointer. Four consecutive points from Edwards put BW up 21-8 with 7:14 left on the clock and the offense continued to click from there. Three straight treys between Fecht and sophomore forward Sydney Diedrich (Chardon/Gilmour Academy) built up a 26-point advantage but the Presidents would only come within 23 points at 41-18 before halftime.
After Womeldorf initially opened up the second half with a made jump shot, Washington & Jefferson buckled down on defense and held the Yellow Jackets to nine additional in the period. Meanwhile, Parker hit her milestone three-point shot at the 6:41 mark to the cheers of her teammates, family and friends in the stands. The damage was already done in the first half, however, as BW still led by 18 points heading into the fourth quarter.
The Yellow Jackets continued to hover around that 20-point margin as each team traded back-and-forth field goals in the final 10 minutes. Although W&J outscored BW in the second half overall, the deficit was too much to overcome as BW cruised to the 72-54 victory.
BW opens up OAC action on Wednesday, Nov. 28, against Heidelberg University at 7 p.m. inside Seiberling Gymnasium.
