GAMBIER – The Kenyon College women’s basketball team opened its 2022-23 campaign with a final-seconds victory on its home court.
Kenyon, competing for the first time as the Owls and under the leadership of a new coaching staff, earned a 55-54 win over Defiance College thanks to a shot by Katie Orefice with 5 seconds left on the clock. The senior guard did it all for the Owls, posting 22 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists. Her points, assists and steals were game-highs, and her final two points clinched the dramatic win for Kenyon.
The game was a back-and-forth battle with 10 lead changes and five ties, and neither team led by more than two possessions. Kenyon was in control for nearly half of the game, but it could only push the lead as high as five points midway through the second frame and held a one-point halftime lead.
Early in the third quarter, Kenyon was outscored by seven, but the Owls saved their best for last and pulled it together in the fourth quarter. Claudia Cooke, Orefice, and Anissa Hardy propelled Kenyon to a 9-3 run to open the final period, tying the game at 48 points apiece. A pair of free throws from Orefice put the Owls ahead 51-50 with 5:16 left to play, and Cooke pushed the lead to three with two from the charity stripe. Defiance jumped ahead 54-53 after two freebies and a layup with just over a minute to play.
The Owls could not convert on two chances in the ensuing possession, but the Yellow Jackets missed an open three-pointer with 17 ticks remaining that would’ve iced the game. Kenyon did not waste the opportunity. Orefice took the ball at the top of the key, sliced through the Defiance defense and found enough space to get a driving layup up, and the shot fell through with 5 seconds left in the game.
The Yellow Jackets could not get a buzzer-beating look off, ensuring a 1-0 start to the season for Kenyon and new coaches Mary Corbett and Lexi Hassing. Cooke started her junior campaign with 18 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. First-year forward Mikayla Rudolph made immediate contributions, adding 10 points, eight boards and two steals while shooting 2-for-5 from three.
