ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Baldwin Wallace University women's basketball team claimed the Chuck Ressler Tournament Championship and the battle of the Yellow Jackets/Yellowjackets in convincing fashion by defeating host institution Rochester (N.Y.) University in its Championship Game by a final score of 79-56 in Louis A. Alexander Palestra Gymnasium, inside the Goergen Athletic Center.
With the victory, BW (2-0) now improves to 4-1 in all-time matchups against Rochester (3-1), and claims its second consecutive Chuck Resler Tournament title.
Yellow Jacket senior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference guard/forward Kara Marshall (Copley/Akron Archbishop Hoban) was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, averaging 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 56 percent shooting in the two games. Joining her on the All-Tournament Team was teammate senior All-OAC and Academic All-OAC guard Riley Schill (Sheffield Village/Elyria Catholic), as well as Rochester sophomore forward Shannon Loiseau and senior guard Lauren Foley.
BW's Marshall scored a game-high 17 points, added five rebounds, and was hot from behind the three-point line going 3-4. Sophomore All-OAC forward Lilly Edwards (Dublin/Coffman) provided some quality minutes off the bench, pouring in 12 points, and grabbing a team-high six rebounds. Senior guard Kasey Hughes (Springboro) also contributed with ten points, five dimes, and three steals in the win.
The Yellowjackets were led by Loiseau, who scored eight points, and garnered game-highs of nine rebounds and three blocks in the defeat. Junior guard Tessa Ludwick was the sole Rochester player in double digits with 11 points on the night.
The first quarter presented a relatively even affair as both teams consistently exchanged baskets, with Rochester clinging on to a three-point lead at the frame's end. The Yellowjackets lead had never surpassed a six-point afterwards, as BW began to gather momentum that would carry on until the end of the game. The Yellow Jackets limited their adversaries to 36.4 percent shooting in the second quarter, and took advantage of a 7-0 run in the latter portion of the period to gain a 34-31 lead at halftime.
After some more back-and-forth action to start the second half, the Yellowjackets used a 6-0 run to get within two. However, BW dampened Rochester's energy with two three-pointers from Marshall and senior guard/forward Hannah Fecht (Hilliard/Davidson). The Yellow Jackets ended the third quarter with their first double-figure lead of the game. BW remained sizzling hot heading into the fourth quarter, capping off 22-3 run with 6:47 remaining in the game. The Yellow Jackets checked their opponents to 33.3 percent shooting in the second half, and rode their streaky fourth quarter wave to victory.
BW returns to the court for its home opener on Tuesday, November 19, when it tips off against St. Vincent (Pa.) College at 6:30 p.m. in Ursprung Gymnasium.
