NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Ohio Northern University scored the first eight points of the game and it finished the first half on a 14-2 run as it handled Albion College, 78-54, on the opening night of the Saint Mary's College Thanksgiving Classic.
Albion Coach Doreen Carden said it was a learning experience for her team's young post players. Joanna Snyder, a senior forward, led Ohio Northern with 16 points and nine rebounds. Cenzie Yoder, a junior forward, added 13 points for the Polar Bears.
Albion made one significant run in the first half, cutting the deficit to 20-17 when Emily DeWaters knocked down a 3-point shot with 7 ½ minutes to play. The Britons went scoreless for six minutes – a Darian Payne basket broke the drought – as Albion trailed 34-19 at halftime.
Injuries to starters Tanner Johnson and Katie Thompson shortened Albion's bench in the second half. The Britons still came out with a 12-8 run to cut the margin to single digits. Ohio Northern responded to a timeout by hitting a pair of 3-point baskets and a layup to pull away.
Taylor Nugent hit four 3-point baskets to lead Albion with 16 points. Payne added 10 points to score in double figures for the second time in four games.
Albion completes its weekend in the Saint Mary's College Thanksgiving Classic with a 3 p.m. Sunday contest against Otterbein University.