GRANVILLE, Ohio – Abby Cooch earned a spot on the Sara Lee Classic All-Tournament Team as Denison women's basketball closed out the event with a hard-fought 76–70 victory over Franklin College on Saturday inside Livingston Gymnasium. The Big Red (4-0) relied on balanced scoring and stout defense to withstand a late surge from the Grizzlies and claim the win.
1st Quarter:
Denison started the game with intensity, attacking the basket and generating points in transition. Early layups from Anelly Mad-toingué and Ada Taute helped the Big Red respond to Franklin's fastbreak opportunities. Key three-pointers from Adelyn Moore and tip-ins from Mad-toingué gave Denison an early 14–11 edge.
2nd Quarter:
Denison grew its lead with sharp shooting and strong defense. Violet Mitchell sank two free throws and followed with a three-pointer to give the Big Red a six-point edge midway through the quarter. Ada Taute added a three-pointer and, seconds later, a jumper to extend the lead to seven. Mad-toingué and Taute each converted a tip-in to close the half with Denison ahead 34–31.
3rd Quarter:
The Big Red stayed in control after the break, as Mad-toingué scored a fastbreak layup to put Denison up by two. The game tied at 40–40 with under six minutes remaining in the quarter, but Moore hit a three-pointer and Taute followed with a jumper to give Denison a five-point lead with four minutes left. Brooke Toigo added a three-pointer before the quarter ended, sending the Big Red into the final stretch up 52–47.
4th Quarter:
In the final quarter, both teams traded baskets early. Taute and Mad-toingué scored in the paint before Molly Dorighi extended Denison's lead with an and-one at the seven-minute mark, making it 59–52. Taute added a jumper and a layup with under two minutes remaining to push the lead to six, and Moore hit a late three-pointer to make it eight. Denison held on at the line down the stretch, securing a 76–70 victory.
Key Performances:
- Ada Taute paced the team with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
- Anelly Mad-toingué contributed 18 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, and blocked five shots.
- Adelyn Moore added 14 points, five rebounds, two steals, and an assist.
- Violet Mitchell chipped in seven points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
Denison travels to Steubenville, Ohio, to take on Franciscan on Wednesday, November 19, at 5:30 p.m.
