TIFFIN -- Behind a monster game from junior
Bailey Walter, the Heidelberg University women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with a resounding 68-53 win over Kenyon College on Tuesday. Walter had a double-double locked up by halftime and finished with 24 points -- a career high -- and 18 rebounds.
Heidelberg moved to 1-0 on the season -- their first victorious season opener since the 2018-19 campaign. Kenyon, back in action after missing all of last season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, fell to 0-1.
"I'm super proud of the energy and effort the girls showed tonight from the opening whistle," said Head Coach
Rachel Ferri. "They have bought in and believe in the process. We played hard and never relented -- a total team win."
An aggressive press by HU forced Kenyon into two early turnovers that elicited a quick 30-second time out by the visitors less than a minute into the game. The Student Princes never took their foot off the accelerator in the opening 10 minutes and built an 18-7 lead.
Kenyon had no answer for Walter in the second quarter. The Shelby native had 14 points and seven boards in the second stanza alone, including an impressive 6-for-6 from the line. The Tricolor led 44-26 at the break.
The second half saw HU show off a more balanced attack, including solid contributions from a host of newcomers. A total of 44 of Heidelberg's 68 points were scored by players making their Heidelberg debut, including a nine-point night from
Morgan Altenburger -- all of which came after halftime.
Ashley Ballard added eight rebounds.
Kenyon was led by Grace Connery and Katie Orifice who finished with 15 and 12 points, respectively.
The Student Princes won the rebounding battle, 46-36, and led in points off of turnovers, 23-11.
"I'm fired up to see what this team can do," said Ferri.
Heidelberg will look to carry their momentum into a two-game set at John Carroll University on Friday and Saturday. JCU will play host as Heidelberg battles Carnegie Mellon and Case Western Reserve.
