HIRAM – The College of Wooster women's basketball team played some of its best ball in the first quarter of Wednesday's North Coast Athletic Conference matchup against Hiram College despite falling 79-46.

The Scots erased an early deficit thanks to scoring eight straight and a 10-2 run.

A steal and a layup from first-year Mackenzie Riccitelli tied the game at eight. The Scots then forced a turnover on Hiram's next possession, which allowed Emily Webb to give Wooster its first lead on a driving layup.

Junior Ella Biondi kept things going on the next possession, scoring in the paint. Another stop and another Riccitelli basket made it a 14-8 game before Hiram finally got back on the board.

Erica Beaty had a floating shot with under a minute remaining to give Wooster its largest lead at six.

After one quarter, Wooster led 16-14.

The Scots never saw that type of success for the remainder of the game as Hiram opened the game up with a 22-10 second quarter to lead 36-26 at halftime.

The third quarter saw more of the same with Hiram winning 19-7. Then in the fourth, Hiram had its best offensive output, winning the quarter 24-13.

Riccitelli led the Scots with 15 points and nine rebounds. Ella Dean added 14 points, Kylie Parsons scored six and Beaty scored four.

Brooke Hickman scored 20 and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Terriers.

Next, the Scots will host Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday in their home finale.