Box Score

Hiram, Ohio – The Oberlin College women's basketball team earned its first win of the new year by knocking off Hiram College 62-53 on Saturday afternoon at Price Gymnasium.

After missing the last game, first-year Kelly Warlich returned to the line-up to lead the Oberlin offense with 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while junior Syrea Thomas returned to form with 17 points and seven rebounds.

“This was a good road win for us in the conference,” Head Coach Kerry Jenkins said. “Both teams battled hard throughout, but we were able to pull it out in the end. I just can't say enough about the effort of our team.”

Oberlin (3-12, 2-4 NCAC) jumped out to a nine-point lead, 15-6, halfway through the opening stanza, but Hiram fought back to take a 21-19 advantage of its own. However, the Yeowomen responded by scoring 11 of the final 13 points of the frame, taking a 30-23 cushion into the locker room.

The second half was tightly contested on both sides, but the Yeowomen led the entire way except for a slight moment when the Terriers claimed 45-44 edge with 7:16 left to play. Once again, Oberlin would respond by holding Hiram scoreless for nearly five minutes while building its lead back up to eight, 53-45, with 2:38 remaining.

The Terriers (2-13, 1-5 NCAC) tried to claw back, but a triple-hit and four made free throws by Warlich over the final 1:28 sealed Oberlin's second conference win of the season.

The Yeowomen finished 37.9-percent (22-of-58) from the floor while their stingy defense limited the Terriers to just 23.9-percent (17-of-71) shooting. OC also converted 13 points off of 15 Terrier turnovers and had a 28-14 advantage in points in the paint.

Oberlin will look to make it two in a row when Wooster comes to town on Wednesday evening. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. and the game will precede the men's game against the Scots at 8 p.m.