Anderson Falls to Kenyon in Season Opener

Freshman Reese Withers made her college debut as a starter in a 63-53 loss to Kenyon College.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of two women's basketball players in red and navy uniforms contesting a drive to the basket on a hardwood court. — Anderson University fell 63-53 to Kenyon College on Saturday in its season opener, after leading 35-32 at halftime, with freshman Reese Withers starting and scoring eight points. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Anderson University lost 63-53 to Kenyon College at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium in its season opener on Saturday, after leading 35-32 at halftime. Freshman Reese Withers started and scored eight points in her collegiate debut.

Why it matters

The loss opens the season for Anderson, which now turns to two upcoming games against Illinois College and Marian University. Early results and early roles give the program a first look at its rotation for the months ahead.

Williamson scored 17 points on five three-pointers in 33 minutes, while Withers logged 31 minutes, the second-highest total on the team. Withers also added three rebounds, one assist and a team-high three steals.

The players

Anderson University

Anderson University is a private institution whose women's basketball program competes in NCAA Division III.

Kenyon College

Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio, whose women's basketball team defeated Anderson in the season opener.

The details

Anderson trailed Kenyon in the second half after holding a 35-32 halftime lead. Withers made one of three three-point attempts and three of four free throws in her debut, and Victoria Detraz posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Kenyon.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026: Anderson loses 63-53 to Kenyon College in its season opener.
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, 7 p.m.: Anderson faces Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026: Anderson plays an exhibition game against Marian University in Indianapolis.

Season Trajectory

The opening result sets the early tone for a team that must now play two more games in the next week, with an exhibition game against Marian University following a road trip to Illinois. The early schedule gives the program its first measure of how the new lineup, including a freshman starter, will perform against competition.

Fans and fantasy players tracking the roster should note Withers' 31 minutes as a starter, which points to a meaningful early role. The upcoming schedule gives the team two more chances to establish its rotation before the next stretch of conference play.

The takeaway

The season opener showed a team that can lead at halftime but struggled to hold that advantage against a balanced Kenyon attack. Early minutes for a freshman starter offer a window into how the rotation may develop over the coming games.

What happens next

Anderson is scheduled to face Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois, on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m., and play an exhibition game against Marian University in Indianapolis on Friday, Nov. 13.