by Josh Ferreira '25
Ohio Wesleyan senior Lauren Denison (Pataskala/Watkins Memorial) recently netted her 1000th career point. The 6-0 guard and team captain joins elite company with this achievement, becoming the 18th player in Ohio Wesleyan women's basketball history to reach that mark.
Denison has started in all 84 games of her outstanding OWU career and is putting together quite the successful season. Scoring nearly 13 points per game, Denison is shooting a team-leading 38 percent from behind the arc. She also is shooting more 3-pointers than ever, putting up 7 per game compared to last year's 5.1 average.
When asked about the increase in volume of Denison's 3-point shooting, senior point guard and fellow captain Elizabeth Homan (Cincinnati/Anderson) said, "She has earned the right to shoot whenever she has an open look. All I have to worry about is giving her the ball and I trust that she is going to knock it down."
Although joining the 1000-point club is a remarkable feat, this is not the first occasion where Denison has made her way into the record books this season. In a game against Sarah Lawrence on December 18, Lauren went 10-for-19 from 3-point land, smashing the previous record of 7 for made 3-pointers in a single game and tying the North Coast Athletic Conference single-game reocrd of 10 made 3-pointers.
"I was able to just get into a rhythm and keep shooting," Denison said when asked about the memorable performance in Miami Gardens, Fla. Denison also gave credit to her teammates' playmaking ability and pointed out the primary zone defense of the opposition, saying they "allowed for (OWU) to attack the gaps and get outside looks for three."
Along with being lethal from long range, Denison also adds an intangible quality to the Bishops. Lauren is regarded as an exceptional leader among her teammates, bringing about words such as 'positivity' and 'composure.'
Senior guard and captain Kasey Schipfer (Mechanicsburg) added, "Lauren brings so much knowledge to our team. She has been such a key player for us due to her work ethic and commitment to the program."
"Lauren has reached this milestone due to her commitment and hard work," said Bishop head coach Stacey Ungashick Lobdell. "While her strength is 3-point shooting, she has added a midrange jumper to complement her ability behind the arc. Off the court, Lauren is a leader and is one of the most genuine student-athletes I have coached. I am honored to coach her."
Ungashick Lobdell and the trifecta of Denison, Schipfer, and Homan have led the Bishops to a 15-4 start heading into a week when Ohio Wesleyan will play 2 of the league's top 4 teams in Denison on Wednesday and DePauw on Saturday.
