Strong defense leads Women's Basketball to 58-42 victory at Mount Union

By Tim Glon

ALLIANCE — Ohio Northern used a stifling defense to post a 58-42 women's basketball victory at Mount Union on Saturday afternoon at the MAAC Center.

Junior Karissa Steffas scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds and junior Precious Ramsey had career-highs of 10 points and eight boards to lead the Polar Bears (16-5 overall, 2-2 Ohio Athletic Conference).

The Purple Raiders (8-13, 4-10) were led by Isabella Pecchia with 11 points.

With the victory, ONU stayed atop the OAC and clinched a first round bye in the OAC Tournament.

Ohio Northern used a 21-2 run midway in the second half to turn a slim 28-27 lead into a commanding 49-29 advantage with 9:15 remaining.

Northern ended the first half on a 10-3 run to take a 25-15 lead into intermission, limiting Mount Union to just 5-of-31 shooting (16.1 percent) in the first 20 minutes.

The Purple Raiders opened the second half on a 12-3 run to pull within 28-27 with 17:09 left to play.

That's when the Polar Bears took control, limiting the Purple Raiders to just two points over the next 7:54.

A basket by Ramsey with 2:16 left in the game gave ONU it's largest lead of the day at 58-35.

Ohio Northern made 23-of-47 field goals for 40.4 percent and held Mount Union to 15-of-56 shooting for 26.8 percent.

ONU held a commanding 47-32 advantage over MtU in the rebounding battle.

The Polar Bears will return home on Wednesday to host Heidelberg at 7:30 pm at the ONU Sports Center.