BEXLEY, Ohio – The Kenyon College women's basketball team claimed victory Saturday in the title game of the two-day Marriott Columbus Airport Holiday Tournament. The Ladies defense dismantled the host Capital University Crusaders to take the title with a 65-47 triumph.

The win not only improved the Ladies' record to 11-2, but was the 400th career win for Kenyon Head Coach Suzanne Helfant. Since taking over the program in the 1995-96 season, Helfant has a 366-227 record with the Ladies. Prior to arriving in Gambier, she logged a 34-43 record in three seasons as head coach at Marietta College. In her 25 years of coaching, she's 400-270 (.597).
 

The game's conclusion also brought news that both Griffin Tullis, a senior, and Paige Matijasich, a sophomore, were selected to the All-Tournament team. Tullis' two-game tournament totals included 24 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Matijasich, who was named the tournament's MVP, posted combined totals that included 37 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

The Kenyon defense didn't get off to the start it envisioned, as Capital rolled to an early 21-13 lead with just 40 seconds to go in the first quarter. From that point on, however, Kenyon outscored the Crusaders 52-26.

The Ladies' strong defensive effort kicked in at the end of the second quarter, when Kenyon kept Capital off the scoreboard for the final 3:54. During that time, the Ladies scored seven points to take a 29-28 advantage into the locker room. Freshman Ellie Schaub scored five of those seven, including the three-point shot that put Kenyon ahead.

Early in the third frame Matijasich hit two three-pointers, the second of which put Kenyon out in front by five, at 37-32. Capital would never get any closer and finished the third quarter down by 11 points after a three-pointer from junior Sharon Hull snapped twine with 44 seconds to go.

It was all Kenyon after that, as the Ladies outscored the Crusaders 36-19 in the final two quarters of play. During that same span, the Kenyon women forced 13 Capital turnovers and coaxed the Crusaders into a 6-of-23 (26.1 percent) shooting performance.

Three players reached double figures for the Ladies with Matijasich pouring in a game-high 18 points. Hull added 14, all in the second half, while Tullis scored a season-high 14 points to complement a game-high seven rebounds.

Capital's Elle Folan also amassed 14 points, but was held scoreless in the second half by the Ladies defense.

Up next for Kenyon is a road game at Wittenberg University as North Coast Athletic Conference play resumes. After defeating the Tigers 64-50 earlier this season in Gambier, the Ladies will aim for the season sweep.