Jones, Perrotta lead Hiram to 61-53 overtime win at Wooster

More news about: Hiram

WOOSTER, Ohio -- Sophomore Mercedes Jones (Dayton, Ohio/Ponitz Career Technology Center) recorded her fifth career double-double and junior Dana Perrotta (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) hit a late 3-pointer to force overtime, as the Hiram College women's basketball team defeated Wooster 61-53 in overtime on Wednesday.

Jones finished the game with a game-high 18 points and 12 rebounds to go along with three blocks.

Sophomore Allison Vannoy (Mantua, Ohio/Crestwood) had 10 points, six assists and a career-high five steals, while Perrotta added 10 off the bench.

The two team found themselves tied at 36-36 through three quarters.

Wooster (5-14, 1-9 NCAC) appeared to take control of the game, building a 45-36 lead with 4:42 to play in the game.

Hiram (11-8, 5-5 NCAC) would answer with nine straight points to tie the score at 45-45 with 1:21 left.

The Fighting Scots would get a free throw to take a one point lead and forced a steal and scored a layup to take a 48-45 advantage with nine seconds to play.

Off the inbounds following a timeout, Perrotta took a pass from Vannoy and drained the game tying 3-pointer to send the game into an extra session.

After both teams scored on their opening possessions in overtime, the Terriers reeled off six straight points to take a 56-50 lead with 42 seconds left.

Wooster would pull to within three points at 56-53 with 35 seconds left. Vannoy was fouled and split a pair of free throws to make the score 57-53 in favor of Hiram with 33 seconds remaining.

The Terriers would get a defensive stop and Perrotta grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. She converted a pair of free throws to put the game away.

Hiram owned a 12-10 lead after one quarter, but Wooster outscored the Terrers 18-8 in the second to take a 28-20 lead into the intermission.

The Terriers would storm back in third, holding a 16-8 edge to tie the game heading into the fourth.

Hiram finished 21-of-62 (33.9 percent) from the field, while the Fighting Scots were 18-of-51 (35.3 percent).

The Terriers held a 42-36 edge on the glass, including a 16-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Hiram also forced Wooster to commit 27 turnovers, turning it into 25 points.

Hiram's five conference victories tie the record for the most wins in the NCAC since the Terriers joined the league in the 1999-00 season.

Hiram will play next on Saturday, as they host Ohio Wesleyan at 2 p.m. The Terriers will also receive a Musial Award in Sportsmanship from the parents of Lauren Hill before tipoff.