Last Saturday was a big match-up for the Yeowomen as they bumped heads with the Mustangs of Marygrove College. The last time these two teams met, Oberlin battled hard but came up short against Marygrove, ending the game in a 62-67.

It was a different outcome on Saturday afternoon at Phillips Gymnasium as Oberlin took revenge for last year’s performance and defeated Marygrove College in a solid 87-79 overtime victory. With just ten seconds remaining in the match and with Oberlin down by two points, senior captain Jessie Oram grabbed a rebound from a missed shot over an opponent’s head and drained a buzzer-beater basket near the free throw line to send the game into overtime.

In the beginning of the match, the game appeared to be in the palm of Marygrove’s hand as they jumped to an early seven-point lead. Oberlin began to pull itself together and would eventually tie the game at 11 by scoring seven straight points. Both squads battled it out scoring back-to-back, but Oberlin continued to hold a seven-point deficit with four minutes remaining in the half.

In the last four minutes of the first half, the Mustangs gained momentum as they turned the pressure up on defense. Marygrove used a full-court man-to-man press on the Yeowomen as turnovers and steals allowed Marygrove to get back into the game. Oberlin would eventually pull itself together to lead by one point at 35-34 at intermission.

In the second half Oberlin came out with confidence as they took a five-point lead with 16 minutes remaining in the match. The Mustangs once again stepped up their defense, causing the Yeowomen to turn the ball over. The Mustang’s defense enabled them to gain momentum and take a six-point lead with 4:13 remaining.

Oberlin continued to fight and eventually tied the game with 38 seconds remaining as first-year Liz Thompson made a pair of free throws. On the next possession the Mustangs scored and took a two-point lead with time running down on the clock. Oberlin would retrieve the ball, setting up Oram’s buzzer-beater shot.

In overtime Oberlin held all their momentum as they completely dominated the Mustangs. The Yeowomen went on an 8-1 run in the final minutes of the game that would secure them the victory.

Oberlin was 47.1 percent from the field for the evening, while Marygrove shot 37.1 percent. Oberlin struggled in securing the ball, committing 29 turnovers, while Marygrove only had 11 turnovers.

The Yeowomen had three players who scored in double figures: Thompson, sophomore guard Alyssa Clark and Oram. Thompson had 12 points and four boards. Clark missed a triple double by just one assist, scored 18 points, nine assists and added 16 rebounds. Oram led the team in scoring with 26 points, seven assists and a game high 18 rebounds. Sophomore Shaney Davis of Marygrove College led her squad with 29 points, and her teammate Amanda Degain notched 20 points and three assists.

 “We played very well against Marygrove. I was very pleased that we played so well because they are a strong team,” said Head Coach Christa Champion. “This year they have played three Division I schools and kept two of those games within 20 points. They have also beaten scholarship programs in the NAIA and lost by two to a strong Division II team. So even though not many people may have heard of Marygrove College, they have a very good basketball team,” said Champion.

On Monday night the Yeowomen took on the Gators of Allegheny College, who headed into the match with a menacing overall 7-1 season record. The Yeowomen refused to feel threatened and stepped on the court with unanimous confidence.

The match started off on an exciting note with block shots, steals and strong defense by the Yeowomen. Unfortunately, the Gators were able to shoot down Oberlin’s brave attempts and immediately went on a 10-0 run with a stalwart defensive line that created problems for the Oberlin team throughout the game.

Oberlin moved the ball around well offensively which gave them many opportunities to score, but they were unable to secure a lead. With 5:16 remaining in the half, Oberlin picked up the paced as Oram assisted Clark for the lay-up to put Oberlin within five.

On the next possession, Clark grabbed the ball, faked a lay-up and dished the ball to junior Roneisha Kinney for the point. With three minutes remaining until halftime, both Oram and Clark struck again.

With the clock winding down, Clark drove to the basket untouched between two Gator opponents for the lay-up. With time winding down, Oram scored in the paint following a steal by Clark who took it to the basket and caused a foul. She would only make one free throw, but Oberlin was within one with a score of 27 to Allegheny’s 28. Allegheny eventually pulled ahead with a number of baskets before intermission, concluding the half with a score of 27-31.

In the second half Allegheny came out in their full-court man to man press forcing the Yeowomen to struggle for possession of the ball. The Gators would go on to out score Oberlin in the second half 32-17 and a final score of 60-44.

Kinney and Oram led the Yeowomen in scoring with ten points apiece. Kinney also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. First year Monica Zell contributed with seven points. Allegheny was led by senior forward Becca Gasiewicz’s who made 14 points and five rebounds. The Allegheny Gators had three other players who reached double figures in scoring, led by senior Katie Kestler, who notched 12 points, seven rebounds and dished out four assists.

“Last night’s game against Allegheny was a tough loss. We proved that we could hang with one of the better teams in the conference,” said Kinney. “Last night we learned some valuable lessons that will make us a stronger team.“

Oberlin will return to action Jan. 5 as they take on the Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan at 7 p.m.