DELAWARE, Ohio – The 11th/10th-ranked Ohio Wesleyan University women's basketball team took part in a clash of NCAC titans as they hosted 14th/8th-ranked and undefeated Denison at Branch Rickey Arena. It was a packed house with students taking over multiple sections, making for an incredible atmosphere as the Battling Bishops finished on a 20-3 run to comeback and beat the Big Red 72-65.

The Bishops extend their win-streak to 15 games, now 16-1 on the season and in sole possession of the top spot in the NCAC with a perfect 7-0 conference record. Denison drops their first game of the season, ending their streak of 17 victories and now sitting at 17-1 and 6-1 in the NCAC.

OWU took control of the game early, starting on a 13-0 run following four opening points from Denison, putting the game at 13-4 with about three-and-a-half minutes left in the first quarter. Ohio Wesleyan would outscore the Big Red 10-7 to finish the first period and take a 23-11 lead into the first break. The Bishops were led by post duo Macy Miller and Alyssa Griner with six points apiece.

The Red and Black's first quarter efforts were all-for-naught following a very slow second quarter on the offensive end that resulted in just six points after only three field goals made. Denison took advantage of this and put up 20 to erase the deficit and take a slim 31-29 lead at the half.

The momentum seemed to have swung full in favor of Denison in the second half as the Big Red outscored the Battling Bishops 31-23 throughout the third quarter and the first 5:30 of the fourth, putting Denison ahead by 10 at 62-52. 

Then, the unbelievable happened. Spurred on by the crowd, Ohio Wesleyan would go on an insane 18-0 run to completely reclaim the game and take a 70-62 advantage with just 31 seconds left. Kendall Dieringer led the charge with eight points in the spurt, including the game-tying three-pointer that sent the place into a frenzy. All-in-all, the Bishops put up 29 points in the fourth quarter and finished the game on a 20-3 run following a three from Denison and two free throws from Nora Johns before OWU broke the press one final time and dribbled out the clock, 72-65.

THE NUMBERS
It was not a great shooting day for the Red and Black – or either side for that matter – but the Battling Bishops made shots when it mattered, finishing the day 36.0% (23-for-63) from the field, 15.4% (2-of-13) from deep, and 75.0% (24-for-32) from the charity stripe.

Macy Miller landed just one short of her career high with 24 points as well as a team-high 15 rebounds, three blocks, and one assist.

Kendall Dieringer recorded 13 points with a career-high four steals alongside three assists and two rebounds.

Alyssa Griner secured 12 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two assists.

Maddie Ebbert tallied 10 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

Nora Johns nabbed eight points with five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

UP NEXT
The Battling Bishops taking a week off before hitting the road again next Saturday to take on Oberlin at 2 p.m.