Oberlin, OH – After a multi-season drought against Denison, the Oberlin women's basketball team took down the Big Red in a physical 52-66 game on Thursday night. The rookie duo of Bryana Woodard and Gina Lombard put up 38 of the team's 66 points. The squad improves to an 11-1 record on the season and 5-1 in the NCAC.
 
The Yeowomen got off to a slow start in beginning of the first quarter, putting up only four points in the opening three minutes. Even with the slow start, the Crimson and Gold defense locked down on the Big Red to hold them below single-digits until the final minute of the quarter. Woodard paced the way for Oberlin with eight points to put OC ahead 17-12 heading into the second period.
 
Opening the second quarter on a 7-1 run, Denison's Gabby Elliott capped the drive with a three-pointer for the visitor's first lead of the night. Down 19-18, Lombard responded with a three of her own to regain the Yeowomen's lead. The two squad's swapped buckets over the next couple minutes until Oberlin found momentum to finish the half on a 6-0 run. The game headed into halftime with the home team up 31-25.
 
Looking to play at a quicker pace in the second half, the Yeowomen did just that as Camille Zinaich drove for a layup in the first 14 seconds. Woodard kept in stride with three-consecutive layups to open the Yeowomen's largest lead of the night. Already up 11 points, Lombard drilled another shot from behind the arc before Rowan Smith added her own pair of points at the 5:40 mark. The Crimson and Gold didn't slow down, however, as Kendal McCall and Smith both found the rim again in the ensuing seconds of action. Back in control of the game, and with a double-digit lead, Lombard hit from three again to extend the Oberlin advantage to 51-34. The Yeowomen finished quarter shooting over 50% from the field and outscoring the Big Red 24-17.
 
Not missing a beat, the Yeowomen picked up right where they left off as leading scorers Lombard found Woodard for a quick basket in the paint. Just as quick as it started, the game slowed to a standstill as Denison looked to keep Oberlin off the board. A successful defensive stand, the Big Red put up six unanswered points midway through the quarter. Although an honest fight, it was too little too late for the visitors as Oberlin took the 66-52 victory.
 
The win head coach Stephany Dunmyer's first win over Denison since taking over the program in 2019-2020.
 
The Yeowomen continue their NCAC home stand on Saturday, January 15 as they host Kenyon at home. Tip-off is set for 4pm with the live stream available here and live stats available here.
 
Fans can watch all the home matches live online. Home contests can be accessed on a TV through the official Oberlin College Sports Network app on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.