Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College women's basketball team overcame an extremely slow start to upend the visiting Hiram College Terriers, 76-72, in overtime on Saturday afternoon at Philips Gym.

Oberlin trailed 63-61 with 18 seconds left to play in regulation, but junior Caroline Hamilton evened the score on two of the most clutch free throws of her career. The Terriers' Allison Vannoy had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but her straight-away 17-foot jumper went halfway down before spinning out.

Lindsey Bernhardt started the overtime period with a 3-pointer from the near wing and Oberlin would later go up 71-66 on a jumper in the paint from Christina Marquette with 2:05 left on the clock. However, four straight points from Mercedes Jones shrunk the OC lead to just one at the 1:16 mark.

After working some clock, Bernhardt cashed in a layup with 36 seconds to go and the Terriers would then turn it over on their ensuing possession, which left them no choice but to foul. After Bernhardt split a pair of freebies, a quick coast-to-coast layup by Kaylee Shockley made it 74-72 with nine seconds remaining. However, Hamilton iced the game with a pair of free throws to give Oberlin its third straight win and sixth in its last seven games.

Marquette finished the contest with 33 points and 13 rebounds, marking her sixth double-double of the season. First-year Tyler Parlor matched Marquette, securing her first-career double-double with a career-high 13 points to accompany her 11 rebounds.

Hamilton did most of her damage at the free throw line where she went 9-of-10 en route to totaling 14 points, while Bernhardt chipped in with 10 points.

The Yeowomen made just one of their first 18 shots, which allowed the Terriers to build a 15-2 lead with 12:35 left in the first half. Oberlin finally settled in and methodically worked its way back into the game. Trailing 19-6, the Yeowomen ripped off a 14-4 run that featured 10 points from Marquette to shrink the Hiram lead down to 23-20. However, Hiram would still head into the locker room with a 27-22 cushion at the break.

Oberlin took its first lead of the game with 17:30 left in the second half as Bernhardt cashed in a deep 3-pointer to make it a 31-30 Yeowomen advantage. Another triple-hit from Marquette would later make it 41-35, but the Terriers were not going to back down without a fight.   

Trailing 44-40 midway through second half, the Terriers used a 14-5 run to surge ahead, 54-49, with 6:21 left on the clock.  Oberlin would claw back to tie the game at 56 at the 3:44 mark. With 1:11 remaining, Oberlin trailed 60-58. Marquette would change all of that with one of her four triple-hits in the game to put Oberlin back out in front by one. However, in the final seconds a layup and free throw by Hiram erased that lead, setting up the thrilling end of regulation and overtime.

The victory marked the 56^th of head coach Kerry Jenkins' career as he tied Ann Gilbert (1994-2002) for the most wins by a coach in program history.

The Yeowomen enter the final week of the regular season with a record of 14-9 overall and 10-4 in the NCAC. They will return to action on Wednesday night when they travel to Ohio Wesleyan University for a 6 p.m. tip.