Big Night for Big Red as Denison punches ticket into Final Four
The Denison University Big Red women’s basketball team punched its ticket into the NCAA Division III Final Four with a 77–64 victory over No. 3 Washington and Lee on Saturday night.
Junior Ada Taute led the way with 24 points and shot an impressive 62.5% from the field. Freshman Molly Dorighi also poured in a career-high 19 points. The Big Red led by as much as 15 points and never trailed entering the fourth quarter en route to the victory.
Taute began the game strong for Denison, scoring seven of the first 10 points for the Big Red. The Generals fought back and briefly regained the lead before a 9–0 run from recent 1,000-point scorer Abby Cooch, Taute, and Morgan Kress propelled Denison back in front.
Denison kept pace with the Generals throughout the second quarter, answering every basket from the No. 3 seed. The Big Red took a 38–28 advantage into the locker room at the break.
Washington and Lee responded to the Denison scoring run with a 16–2 run of its own, capturing the lead to make the score 46–44. The Big Red hit back once more to level the game at 50–50 heading into the final frame with everything up for grabs.
Cooch shifted things into overdrive in the fourth quarter, scoring four straight points to get Denison rolling. Despite the strong start from the Big Red, the Generals brought it back within two points. Dorighi and Taute drained back-to-back threes, extending the Denison lead to eight points heading into the final media timeout. Strong defense from the Big Red helped see the Granville side through to an appearance in the Final Four.
Final points and quick hits
Ada Taute led the Big Red in scoring for the second straight game with 24 points on 62.5% shooting, adding four rebounds.
Molly Dorighi poured in a career-high 19 points, including 14 from the free-throw line (14–16, 87.5%), and added two steals.
Abby Cooch (12) and Brooke Toigo (10) also finished in double figures.
Anelly Mad-toingué dominated inside with 15 rebounds and six blocks.
Denison held Washington and Lee to 28% shooting and just 4–21 (19%) from three-point range.
The Big Red knocked down seven threes, shooting 41.2% from deep.
Denison converted 22 free throws in the win.
The Big Red led for 81.7% of the game and never trailed by more than two points.
The loss marks Washington and Lee’s first of the season.
Denison’s 28th win ties the program record for victories in a season (28–1, 2010–11).
Up Next
Denison will take on UW–Oshkosh next Thursday, March 19, at the Cregger Center in Salem, Virginia. Game time is to be determined.