Christina Myers (Pataskala, Ohio/Watkins Memorial) tied her career high with 20 points and Shaina Kaiser (Ostrander, Ohio/Buckeye Valley) scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half as the Big Red pulled ahead late for a 75-69 victory over Kenyon College on Wednesday night from Granville. The victory improves Denison's record to 14-4 overall and 6-3 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. It also completes a sweep of the season series versus the Kenyon Ladies.
After Kenyon's Elana Carlson connected on a 3-pointer as time expired in the first half to put her team on top 37-36, the two teams would trade leads seven times in the second half. Combine that with the nine lead changes in the first half and the game was clearly shaping into a a game that would be decided down the stretch.
With the score 54-53 in favor of the Big Red with 6:45 to play, Kaiser found a slight opening on the left baseline and knifed through the defense, drawing a foul on Kenyon's Kathleen Williams while still connecting on the field goal attempt. Kaiser converted her free throw, giving DU their largest lead since the first half at 57-54. After a basket down low by Kenyon's Morgan Korinek, Kaiser would find a wide open Kristen Meyer (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy) on the right wing where she knocked down a 3-pointer, bumping the Denison lead back out to six points at 61-55.
Still leading by six with 1:34 to play, Kaiser and the Big Red worked the shot clock down and Kaiser was left with a 3-point attempt that was off the mark. Junior Jessica Grzybowski (Parma, Ohio/Padua) was there to secure the biggest offensive rebound of the night, thus giving Denison a fresh shot clock and forcing Kenyon to foul. With 1:19 left, Denison freshman Serafina Nuzzo (Western Springs, Ill./Fenwick) was fouled by Carlson and the rookie connected on both free throws, giving DU an 8-point lead to ice a hard-fought victory.
The Big Red was led by Myers who tied a career-high in points with 20 while shooting 8 for 17 from the field. She was also 4 of 5 from the free throw line while tying for the team lead in rebounds with seven. Kaiser finished with 16 points, seven assist and three rebound in 31 minutes while Nuzzo also reached double figures with 15 points highlighted by an 8 of 10 showing at the charity stripe.
Kenyon got 16 points off the bench from Elana Carlson and Korinek posted 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. The Ladies edged Denison on the boards 42-40 but committed 11 turnovers while the Big Red committed a season-low eight turnovers.
As a team, the Big Red shot 42 percent from the field and were 5 of 16 from beyond the arc. The free throw line was the difference in the game for the Red and White as they connected on 18 of 22 from the line while Kenyon was just 8 of 13.
The win is Denison's fourth straight and it sets up a rematch with The College of Wooster this Saturday at Timken Gymnasium. The Fighting Scots upset the Big Red on their home court on Jan 8, snapping a 19-game winning streak by Denison against Wooster. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
* In lieu of admission to Wednesday night's men's and women's basketball games versus Kenyon, the Denison Student Athlete Advisory Council was accepting donations which would go directly toward Hatian Earthquake relief efforts. The "Hoops for Haiti" initiative on Wednesday raised nearly $500. Thanks to all of those in attendance who supported this very worthy cause.
