Hale's late 3-pointer lifts Women's Basketball to 53-52 victory at Wilmington

By Andrew Loewe

WILMINGTON — Junior Jaidyn Hale (Lima/Bath) hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:35 left in the game to help the Ohio Northern women's basketball team to a 53-52 victory over Wilmington on Saturday night at Raizk Arena.

With the win, the Polar Bears improve to 1-1 overall and 1-1 Ohio Athletic Conference, handing the Quakers (1-1, 1-1) their first loss of the season.

The victory was the first in the head coaching career of first-year head coach Mark Huelsman.

Hale led ONU in scoring, tying a career-high with 17 points. Senior Sydney Ward (Columbus/Upper Arlington) was the only other Polar Bear in double figures as she contributed 10 points.

McKayla Binkley was one of three Quakers in double figures in scoring with a team-high 14 points.

Hale scored the last five Polar Bear points, including a 3-pointer with 1:35 remaining in the game to break the tie and give the Polar Bears a 53-50 lead.

Binkley made a pair of free throws with 1:06 to go to bring the Quakers within 53-52.

WC got the ball back after an ONU miss with 42 seconds to go, but the Northern defense held and got the ball back with 34 ticks left.

The Polar Bears turned the ball over with 12 seconds remaining and Wilmington got a 3-pointer off with two seconds left, but it missed and ONU held on for the win.

Ohio Northern was 23-of-59 from the floor for 39.0 percent and made 5-of-21 three-pointers for 29.4 percent. Wilmington was 18-55 from the floor for 32.7 percent and was 8-of-21 from beyond the arc for 38.4 percent.

ONU out-rebounded WC 44-30, led by junior Alissa Stahler (Lima/Shawnee) with eight boards off the bench.

The Polar Bears will return to action with a pair of games against Otterbein next weekend. ONU will travel to OU on Friday for a 7 pm contest and will host the Cardinals on Saturday at 6 pm at the ONU Sports Center.