The Oberlin College women’s basketball team completed its first weeks of play with a record of 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the NCAC.
The Yeowomen kicked off their season at the Greater Cleveland Classic Tournament at Baldwin-Wallace College. After the team fell to Baldwin-Wallace 71-50 on Nov. 22, they played Notre Dame of Ohio on Nov. 23 and lost 105-67. The team’s lack of personnel was cited as key in both defeats.
“We could’ve won if we had more people,” sophomore Karen Hahn said. “Each of those teams had a lot more players.” Oberlin only suited up eight players for each of the tournament games.
In the Friday match against Baldwin-Wallace, senior guard Sonia Spencer led all scorers with 14 points, followed by sophomore guard Cristina Briboneria with 11. Briboneria was also three for three in three-point attempts. Briboneria stood out in the team’s second game against Notre Dame, as well, scoring 15 points, and she was named to the Greater Cleveland Classic’s all-tournament team.
Hahn and Spencer rounded out the leading scorers with 10 each. Junior Tranice Harrell led the team in rebounds with nine.
Despite the two early losses, the Yeowomen were able to rebound for their Nov. 27 contest against Ursuline College, winning by the score of 67-51. Senior forward and captain Malisha Richardson led the team with 22 points and also pulled down seven rebounds. Harrell helped the effort by registering a double-double with 11 points and a team high 12 rebounds.
Wednesday’s contest against conference foe Ohio Wesleyan University was the first time all nine players were eligible to participate in the game. The Yeowomen fell to the Lady Bishops by the score of 58-41, despite a double-double from Richardson who raked in 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Poor shooting plagued the Yeowmen all night. Oberlin made only nine of 30 field goal attempts in the first half, but trailed just 24-19 at halftime.
Oberlin’s defense helped keep the gap small in the first half by forcing 18 turnovers. However, in the second half, the team made just nine of 33 shot attempts, while Ohio Wesleyan was able to connect on a number of open shots, including several three-pointers.
Despite the loss, the Yeowomen were clearly competitive with a team that usually contends for the North Coast Athletic Conference title and was picked to place second behind Wittenberg this season. Ohio Wesleyan has a roster of 19 players, 10 of whom are returning letter winners.
Guard play has been the team’s strong point thus far, as six out of the nine players are listed in guard positions. So far, Richardson leads the team in scoring averaging 12.7 points per game followed by Briboneria who averages 10. The team’s field goal percentage has been its main downfall in its young season. Oberlin holds an average of .336 while its opponents are shooting at .460. However, quickness, which has long been an attribute of the Oberlin College women’s basketball team, has helped the team force 26.3 turnovers per game, three less than the Yeowomen average.
On Saturday at 1 p.m. the team faces another conference opponent, Earlham College. Earlham was picked to finish sixth in the NCAC in the pre-season poll and holds a record of 3-1 including a conference win over Kenyon College. The contest should be close as Oberlin matches up well with the Quakers at the guard and center positions.