Sometimes the ball the bounces your way, sometimes the bounces go against you.
Unfortunately for the Wilmington College women’s basketball team it was the latter Saturday afternoon as the Fightin’ Quakers fell to Franklin, 63-61, in the final game of the 2015 Damon’s/Hampton Inn Tip-Off Classic at Hermann Court’s Fred Raizk Arena.
With Wilmington trailing by one, junior Brittaney Jefferson (Dayton, OH/Chaminade Julienne) missed her only free throws of the game with 18 seconds remaining. Jefferson was 9-for-9 in the second half, including 7-for-7 in the fourth quarter, prior to the two misses.
“Brittaney had a great game and those free throws were as pure as can be, they just didn’t go in,” said Wilmington head coach Jerry Scheve.
Trailing nine with seven minutes remaining, Wilmington trailed by nine when the duo of Jefferson and freshman Mackenzie Campbell (Cincinnati, OH/Turpin) scored 12 of WC’s points 14 points during a 14-2 run that enabled the Fightin’ Quakers to take the lead.
Jefferson started the run with a three-pointer, Campbell followed with back-to-back triples and Jefferson gave Wilmington the lead with a three-point play. Freshman Emily Harman (Versailles, OH/Versailles) ended the run with a jumper.
“Mackenzie and Brittaney were both outstanding in the tournament, especially in the second half today,” said Scheve. “They both made big baskets and we had several opportunities to pull it out.”
Franklin answered by scoring eight of the next 10 points to reclaim the lead for good.
After a slow start through the first four minutes, Wilmington’s offense got rolling and seized the lead, 17-9, at the end of the first period. However, a few defensive miscues in the second period gave the Grizzlies the momentum.
“We got off to a great start, but they got hot in the second quarter,” said Scheve. “We had a few defensive lapses and they made some shots. Overall, I was pleased with how we played.”
Jefferson finished with 18 points, 16 of which came in the second half, to lead the Fightin’ Quakers. Campbell added 15 points with five rebounds as both players earned All-Classic team honors.
Junior Ja’Cole Tabor (Dayton, OH/Chaminade Julienne) and senior Alexandria Kingsbery (Lima, OH/Central Catholic) pulled down seven rebounds each, a team-high. Tabor finished with a career-high six assists.
Wilmington (1-2 overall) travels to Capital 7:30 p.m. December 2 for its Ohio Athletic Conference opener.
