SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – A 23-2 run in the first five minutes of the second quarter vaulted the Wilmington College women's basketball team to a 90-52 victory over Westminster College (Missouri) in the consolation final of the 2019 Charles B. Zimmerman / Kiwanis Classic hosted by Wittenberg University on Monday.
Wilmington came up empty on its first possession of the game, but scored on the following four thanks to baskets from McKayla and Hannah Binkley as well as two layups from Michelle Lee. That 9-4 lead wouldn't last long, however, as a 7-0 run from the Blue Jays in three-and-a-half minutes put Westminster up a deuce. Neither team would lead by more than a basket the rest of the first quarter.
Leading 16-13 after one, Wilmington broke the game wide open in the second quarter. In the first five minutes of the period, the Quakers forced five turnovers, including on three straight possessions, that spurred a 23-2 run. Westminster finally called timeout at the 4:49 mark trailing 39-15.
Wilmington led 48-20 at halftime and outscored Westminster 23-15 in the third to coast to a win.
The Quakers finished 30-of-80 (41.3 percent) from the field including six triples and an 18-of-26 (69.2 percent) performance from the free throw line. The Blue Jays were held to 27 percent (17-of-63) from the field and 13.6 percent (3-of-22) from distance. Wilmington won the rebounding battle 47-36 and forced 28 turnovers thanks in large part of 22 steals.
Five Quakers finished with at least nine points including another double-double (15 points and 13 rebounds) from McKayla Binkley. Sister Hannah Binkley had 11 points, along with four steals, while Brooke Davis had 10 off the bench. Zahrya Bailey added nine points and a career-high six steals while Elise Carpenter, who also had nine points, grabbed eight rebounds.
Two Blue Jays – Abbie Reece and Reese Arnold – finished in double figures in defeat.
Wilmington (6-4) will open the New Year with an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) contest at Marietta College on Jan. 4.