Junior Carly Thomas leads Women's Basketball past Muskingum 82-46

By Ashley Birchmeier

ADA — Junior Carly Thomas leads the Ohio Northern women's basketball team past Muskingum 82-46 Saturday afternoon at the ONU Sports Center.

Ohio Northern improves to 8-2 overall, 4-0 Ohio Athletic Conference, while Muskingum falls to 3-7, 1-4.

11 different Polar Bears scored in the contest, four of which were in double digits.

Thomas led the way for ONU netting a team-high 15 points and grabbing three rebounds.

Senior Jordan Kimes and junior Karissa Steffas added 13 points a piece, and sophomore Britt Lauck added 12 points.

Ohio Northern was able to jump out to an early lead as Kimes led a 10-0 run that gave ONU the 37-12 advantage with just over three minutes remaining in the first half.

A pair of made free throws from freshman Lindsay Black would put the Polar Bears up 42-16 at the break.

ONU out rebouded Muskingum in the first half 22-15.

Ohio Northern continued their domination in the second half as they were able to put together an 11-0 run and extend their lead to 61-28.

ONU, led by Thomas, would then string together a 6-0 run to increase its lead 69-30 with just over nine minutes to play.

A made jumper by senior Kaitlyn Theisen as time expired would give the Polar Bears the 82-46 victory.

Ohio Northern out rebounded Muskingum in the contest 44-31, and forced 13 turnovers.

Kimes had a game-high seven rebounds and junior Brooke Espenschied dished out a game-high five assists.

The Polar Bears will return to action January 3 as they travel to Cleveland to take on Case Western Reserve at 3pm.