Written by Athletic Communications Student Assistant Morgan Massey '26

BEREA, Ohio - The No. 23 nationally ranked Baldwin Wallace women's basketball team defeated La Roche (Pa.) by a score of 66-45 in a non-conference matchup in Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Recreation Center. 

BW (7–2) responded with a strong second half, holding La Roche (Pa.) to just 15 points over the final two quarters. The offense found its rhythm behind a career-best performance from junior guard Ava Wilkerson (West Mansfield / Marysville) to pull away with the win. 

BW Leaders (7-2)

• Wilkerson scored a career-high 20 points, shooting 6-8 from three 
• Yellow Jacket Female Athlete of the Week Brooke Thompson (Maineville / Little Miami) led the Yellow Jackets in rebounds with 13 and tied her career best in blocks with four. She also made her third double-double of the season with 11 points. 
• Academic All-OAC guard/forward Kayla Jones (Grove City) gave out a team-high three assists
• Senior guard Kaycie Badylak (Cincinnati/Archbishop McNicholas) and Jones each had a team-best two steals
• Sophomore forward Delaney Garcia (Lakewood) had two career-highs with six points and four rebounds off the bench

La Roche Leaders (3-6)

• Jazmine Dunn scored a team leading 17 points 
• Kaitlyn Nease lead La Roche in rebounds with eight
• J'La Kizart dished out a team-high two assists while adding a block and three steals

1st Quarter (La Roche 18-20)

• Wilkerson got the Brown and Gold on the board sinking three three-point shots to start the quarter 
• Badylak's buzzer beater three-point shot brought the Jackets within two 
• Four different Yellow Jackets gave out an assist during the quarter

2nd Quarter (La Roche 27-30)

• Jones gave out her third assist of the matchup 
• BW outrebounded La Roche 14-10
• The Yellow Jacket defense recorded two steals and two blocks

3rd Quarter (BW 50-38)

• A 6-0 run to start the half gave the Yellow Jackets their first lead since the first quarter 
• A layup by junior guard Laura McCoy (Newton Falls / Garrettsville Garfield) gave BW a double-digit lead 
• The Brown and Gold defense held La Roche to eight points 

4th Quarter (BW 66-45)

• Wilkerson opened the quarter sinking a three-point shot off of a Badylak assist 
• Garcia made both of her free throw attempts while also adding a layup
• A final minute basket by senior guard Ali Menendez (Hudson) gave the Yellow Jackets a 20-point lead to seal the win 

Up Next

• The Yellow Jackets will resume conference play traveling to Capital University for a matchup with Comets on Saturday, December 20 at 12 p.m. at Performance Arena inside the Capital Center