GAMBIER, Ohio — The most important thing to come out of the Wittenberg women's basketball team's trip to Kenyon on Saturday for a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) game was, of course, a 74-65 win. But the incredible 33-point performance of freshman guard Jaclyn Willoughby (Sidney, Ohio/Houston) was easily the most notable development of the day.
Willoughby's point total represents the second-best single game in program history and the best ever by a freshman. She finished just two points shy of tying the single game school scoring record of 35, set by 2005 Wittenberg Athletics Hall of Honor inductee Melinda Wigton against Central State during the 1979-80 season.
While the point total itself is impressive, it is nearly eclipsed by the fact that Willoughby did most of her damage in one record-breaking half.
At halftime, she shared the team-lead of just six points with senior wing Katherine Hueter (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Darby), and exploded for a school-record 27 points in the second period alone.
In the final 20 minutes, Willoughby attempted eight field goals, including three three-pointers, and eight free throws, and hit every single one. For the game, she went 10-of-13 from the field, 5-of-7 from three-point range and 8-of-8 at the line.
Not to be ignored next to the historic game for Willoughby was the game had by Hueter, which approached triple-double territory with 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Junior post Sarah Watson (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) went 6-for-6 at the free throw line as part of a 12-point, seven-rebound day. She and junior forward Lyndsey Clark (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh) each posted one block, while Clark went 3-of-4 from the floor for seven points with four rebounds.
The Tigers opened the game strong, leading by several baskets most of the way through the first 10 minutes. The lead slipped to Kenyon through the remainder of the half, and Wittenberg headed to the locker room trailing 32-30.
The Tigers surged on the strength of Willoughby in the second half, outscoring the Ladies 44-33.
Wittenberg and Kenyon will face each other again on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m. in Pam Evans Smith Arena in Springfield, which plays host to the Tigers' next contest against nationally-ranked NCAC rival Denison University on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m.