Box Score
Albion 66, Ohio Wesleyan 61

Senior guard Claire Sterling (West Jefferson) hit a lay-in to give Ohio Wesleyan the lead early in the fourth quarter after the Bishops had wiped out a pair of double-digit deficits, but Albion took the lead with an 11-2 run and held on for a non-conference win on Friday in Angola, Ind.

The Britons scored the first 11 points of the game, with Evelyn Wischmeyer knocking down a pair of 3-pointers and Rain Hinton contributing a lay-in and a pair of free throws.

Sophomore post Cierra Joiner (Centerburg) put the Bishops on the scoreboard with a lay-in at the 5:18 mark of the opening quarter, kicking off a 17-0 Ohio Wesleyan run that included a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer from senior guard Nicole Popovich (Rocky River) and a 3-point play and a 3-point bucket by sophomore guard Leah Maniaci (Marion/Pleasant).

Albion's Tiffani Burgess drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Britons a 27-21 lead at the break, only to see the Bishops close to within 30-29 after another Popovich 3-pointer.  Hinton then had 2 baskets and 4 free throws to fuel a 13-2 run that opened up a 43-31 lead for Albion.

Once again, the Bishops fought back, with Sterling and Maniaci each sinking a pair of free throws, Popovich converting a 3-point play, and sophomore guard Molly Delaney (Delaware/Olentangy) adding a pair of free throws to put Ohio Wesleyan ahead, 46-45, with :19 left in the third quarter.

Another buzzer-beating 3-pointer, this one by Angelina Mendieta, put Albion up, 49-48, heading into the final quarter, but Sterling answered with a basket for a 50-49 Bishop lead.

Wischmeyer hit a basket and a 3-pointer as the Britons responded with an 11-2 run that resulted in a 60-52 lead midway through the period.  Delaney hit a 3-pointer with :11 left to bring the Bishops within 64-61, but Elena Welker hit a pair of free throws with :10 left to seal the outcome.

Popovich led the Bishops with 15 points, Sterling scored 12 points and added team bests of 8 boards and 4 assists.  Joiner finished with 11 points and Maniaci added 10.

Hinton led Albion with 27 points and 14 rebounds.

Box Score