The College of Wooster women's basketball team defeated Wittenberg University for the first time since 2017, winning 71-65 on Saturday.

In addition, it gave Wooster its first North Coast Athletic Conference win of the season as well as a four-game winning streak – a first for the program since the 2015-16 season.

Sophomore Mackenzie Riccitelli led all scorers with 21 points, shooting 8-for-18 from the floor and 3-for-8 from deep. Also reaching double figures in scoring was senior Ella Dean at 13 points and first-year Pink Sturdivant, who scored 12.

Junior Ace Sturdivant had another solid all-around game with eight points, seven rebounds and six assists, while senior Ella Biondi finished with six points and tied for a game-high eight rebounds.

Sophomore Emily Webb led the bench with valuable minutes, scoring five points and grabbing two rebounds.

Wittenberg (8-3, 1-1 NCAC) was led by a 20-point, eight-rebound performance from Molly Mossing, who came off the bench to lead Wittenberg's 33 bench points.

Wooster (8-4, 1-1 NCAC) returned to Timken Gymnasium after more than a month away, playing a program they haven't defeated in the last 17 tries.

In the first quarter, the teams stayed even at 20-20. Wittenberg scored all their 20 points in the paint, while Wooster distributed its scoring around and hit four 3-pointers.

Wittenberg gained some distance in the second quarter thanks to an 8-0 run, turning a one-point deficit into a 33-26 lead. The Tigers led 37-30 at halftime.

However, Wooster answered with its own 8-0 run in the third to take control of the game. 

Wooster retook the lead, 40-39, on a Riccitelli 3-pointer, to cap its 8-0 run. Wittenberg answered next trip down with a 3-pointer of their own, but Riccitelli tied it at 42 and made it a 45-42 game, scoring eight consecutive points. Wooster never trailed again.

The closest Wittenberg got was when they tied it at 63 midway through the fourth. Yet, Pink Sturdivant was there with a big 3-pointer, her only one of the game, as Wooster led 66-63 with under five minutes remaining.

That score stayed until Riccitelli connected on another basket with 1:36 remaining. Wooster hit enough free throws but more importantly made stops, holding Wittenberg without a field goal for almost the final five minutes of the game, until a layup at the buzzer.

Wooster won every quarter but the second, while the rebounding battle (34-33) and turnover margin (15-14) went narrowly to the Tigers. Wooster held the slight shooting advantage (43 to 41 percent) as well.

Wooster will not have to wait long to get back on its home court. The Scots host Kalamazoo in a non-conference matchup on Monday.