Box Score
GRANVILLE, Ohio – Wednesday night marked the first of two encounters that rivals Kenyon College and Denison University would square off this season. Despite shooting just 33 percent in the first half, the Ladies kept pace with their counterparts across the court but could not keep pace with the Big Red in the second half. Denison used a big run late in the second half to distance itself from Kenyon, leading to a 68-55 victory in favor of the host Big Red.
Kenyon (8-6, 3-3 NCAC) went blow for blow with Denison (12-3, 4-2 NCAC) through the first seven minutes of the game before the Big Red went on its first scoring run on the night. The Big Red broke an 11-11 tie after Kellie Arter hit a three-pointer to spur a 12-5 breakout. With a seven-point lead, Kenyon called a timeout and planned their assault that quickly erased the deficit.
Maggie Boelter went to the bucket and drew a foul while sinking a shot, setting up a three-point play to shrink the lead to four. Maureen Hirt then hit for one of her three field goals on the night before a scoring drought plagued both teams for the next four minutes. Kenyon went 0-for-7 from the field during this time, but their defense stifled the Big Red, forcing them into four turnovers and allowing just one unsuccessful shot attempt. Meredith Williams broke the scoreless streak with a jumper with 3:09 remaining, also giving Kenyon a one-point lead, 24-23.
The back-and-forth nature of the game continued all the way to the half. Tied at 30, Denison's Gabrielle Nottage hit a three-point shot at the buzzer to give the Big Red a three-point lead heading into the locker room.
The Big Red had one last run in them with nine minutes remaining in the second half that helped them break away for good. Arter hit another trey to mark the start of an 18-4 run to build Denison's lead to 14 points, 62-48. Denison made good on 9-of-15 trips to the free throw line, helping sustain the run. The Ladies were unable to get their deep game going to aid in a comeback, going just 3-for-12 from beyond the arc in the second half.
Boelter ended the game as Kenyon's leading scorer, finishing with 16 points on the night. Hirt finished right behind her with 14 and added nine rebounds. Williams also had a serviceable game, notching three steals and an assist to accompany her eight points and three rebounds.
The Ladies will bring their game back to Tomsich Arena this Saturday (Jan. 18) for another North Coast Athletic Conference game against The College of Wooster set to begin at 2 p.m.
