The Oberlin Review
<< Front page Sports December 2, 2005

Talented Yeowomen still need to hit stride

Oberlin women’s basketball has big dreams for this season; according to its captains, the team plans to run like a “well-oiled machine” once it has gotten into its groove. Although the season has gotten off to a dry start, the wheels have become more and more lubricated with each game.

The weekend of Nov. 19, the women commenced their 2005-2006 campaign with a 0-2 finish in the Babson College Invitational Tournament. The Oberlin squad, which returns only two starters from last year’s lineup, played an experienced Babson team with beginners’ nerves in the Friday match. The Beavers won 71-49 after making 44.9 percent of their shots compared to the Yeowomen’s 29.1 percent. Oberlin did capitalize on its three-point shots (three for seven) more so than Babson, (three for 120) but was unable to fully take advantage of its many free-throw opportunities (14 for 35). Alyssa Clark, a first-year from Cleveland, led the team in points with 19.

The next day, the Yeowomen were beaten less decisively by Whittier College, 53-45. Both teams were fairly even in shooting percentages throughout the game. The Poets were able to scribble out their victory with seven sonnet-like free throws in the second half. Jessie Oram, a junior and returning starter from last year’s 10-16 team, led Oberlin with 21 points, nine rebounds and six blocks.

With each game before break, Oberlin was able to decrease the scoring gap more and more. On Nov. 22, the women lost a close game to Bluffton University 66-62 despite an unprecedented performance from Oram, a captain, who scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Oberlin, still young and getting used to playing with each other, proved it could rebound from an early defecit, though its 34-32 ultimatum was not enough to come out with the win.

On Thursday, the squad got down early against Marygrove University, who scored 13 points before Oberlin could get on the board. Despite a tremendous comeback, the Yeowomen could not compensate for their slow starts in both the first and second halves.

“We came out flat,” said Meg Reitz, a senior and captain who (with Clark) led the team in rebounds with 11 in the 67-62 loss. Clark was also second in scoring, with 17 points, while Oram led the team with 20.

Oram attributed the team’s lack of connection at this point in the season to its youth. “We’ll get over it, which is exciting,” she said. Reitz proved to be even more electrified for the team’s future, saying, “We will be absolutely ridiculous when we start clicking.” And with at least 12 more home games left on the roster, basketball fans have plenty of upcoming opportunities to hold her to her word.

The women next hit the road for a Dec. 3rd, 1 p.m. match-up against conference-rival Wittenberg.
 
 

   

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