Denison picked up its first North Coast Athletic Conference win of the season following a 66-58 win over conference rival Ohio Wesleyan University on Wednesday evening from Branch Rickey Areana in Delaware, Ohio.

Ohio Wesleyan jumped out to an early lead over their NCAC rival.  Trailing 18-11, the Big Red took their first lead of the game thanks to a 10-0 spanning less than two minutes.  The run was highlighted by three-pointers from juniors Kinsey Bryant-Lees and Nicole Coggins.

The Bishops slowed shrunk the deficit to two thanks to a bucket by Tamra Londot at 3:07.  However, DU closed out the first half with an 8-1 run as they took a 37-28 lead into the locker room.

Denison opened the second half with an 8-0 run as they built up a 17-point lead.  The offensive outburst featured baskets by Annie-Rae Dura, Serafina Nuzzo, Alyx Ingram and Gretchen Staubach.  OWU trimmed the deficit to 49-41 midway through the period.  However, the Big Red quickly regained a double-digit lead and held it until the final seconds of regulation.

Bryant-Lees paced the Denison offense with 12 points, while Staubach logged 11 points and six rebounds.  Dura also chipped in 10 tallies on 5-of-6 from the floor.  Coggins paced DU on the glass with a game-high 10 rebounds, while Jane Windler pulled down seven boards.  Nuzzo also added five assists and a game-best four steals.

Caroline Welker scored a game-high 13 points, while Mary Corbett added 12 points and five rebounds.  LaNiece McRae grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, while Kandis Walker had five assists and three steals.

Both squads scored 24 points in the paint, while DU held a 21-17 edge in points off turnovers.  The Big Red shot a 44 percent clip (23-for-52) from the field, while OWU converted 37 percent (20-for-54) from the floor.

Denison improves to 5-3 overall and 1-1 in the NCAC, while the Bishops fall to 2-6 and 0-2 in league play.  The Big Red returns to action on Tuesday when they host Grove City.  Tip-off from Livingston Gymnasium is slated for 6 p.m.