UNIVERSITY HTS., Ohio – A 16-3 run during the first half allowed John Carroll University to pull out to a 17-point lead, as The College of Wooster dropped an 82-51 decision in its season opener Monday night at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center.

With a roster featuring just six returning players and only two who were regular starters previously, Wooster (0-1) stayed close early on. With a game-opening basket by Kristen Schwartz as well as a 3-pointer from freshman Karley Walker, it was 5-5 within the first 90 seconds. A mini-run allowed John Carroll (1-0) to go ahead and then it went back-and-forth until Taylor Keegan pulled the Fighting Scots within 15-11 at the 11:56 mark.

At that juncture, John Carroll went on the decisive run with Katie Knox doing a lot of damage inside, accounting for six of the 16 points as the Blue Streaks went ahead 31-14. Samantha Sulzer made a tough basket on the inside while getting fouled to halt the run, then converted the three-point play and added another hoop to help bring Wooster within 33-19 at the break.

Walker dropped in a jump shot for the opening points of the second half, but then John Carroll responded with a 20-4 stretch to seal the outcome.

The Scots struggled most of the night from the field, finishing at an even 30.0 percent (18-for-60), but outrebounded the Blue Streaks 48-37. John Carroll shot just under 50 percent (.476; 30-for-63).

Schwartz was a bright spot for Wooster, recording a double-double with 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. The junior posted one double-double a season ago. Also of note, the Scots got 11 points from Sulzer.

The Blue Streaks were paced by Emilee Ritchie's 21 points, which included 5-of-11 3-pointers.

Wooster will look to improve this weekend when it hosts the annual Nan Nichols Classic.