Oberlin, Ohio - The Oberlin College women's basketball team dropped a 74-62 decision to the visiting Denison University Big Red on Saturday afternoon at Philips Gym.

Oberlin led 30-26 at the break, but the Big Red took control of the game with a big third quarter that saw them outscore the Yeowomen 25-11 in the period. 

Four Yeowomen finished in double figures, led by senior Alyson Jefferson who netted 17 points to accompany her eight rebounds. Camille Zinaich matched Jefferson with a team-high eight rebounds and posted 13 points. Ellie Pollock-Ballard cashed in three 3-pointers en route to 13 tallies off the bench, while Lily Najmulski finished with a career-high 13 points and career-best five assists. 

Oberlin led 4-2 in the early going but the Big Red would go out in front on a six-point possession that featured five points from Abby Cooch as she cashed in two technical free throws and then nailed a corner three to make it an 8-4 Denison lead. The Yeowomen would respond, tying the game at 12-12 on Jefferson layup and would ultimately take a 15-12 advantage into the second quarter. 

A Jefferson finish inside had the Yeowomen up 22-16 at the midway point of the second quarter but no more than two possessions would separate the two foes the rest of the half as Oberlin took a 30-26 advantage into the intermission. 

The third quarter is where things would unravel for Oberlin. A 9-2 Big Red run to start the frame put Denison ahead 35-32 but a traditional 3-point play from Anora Lee got Oberlin back to even. A 12-2 Denison rebuttal made it a 47-37 advantage for the visitors and they would carry the same differential into the final quarter, leading 51-41. 

The Big Red swelled the lead out to 14 early in the fourth quarter but the Yeowomen wouldn't lay down quietly, shrinking the deficit down to six, 60-54, at the 4:34 mark on a Pollock-Ballard triple-hit. After Denison pushed the lead back out to 10, Jefferson's layup with 2:45 to go had the margin down to single digits once again, but Denison fended off the threat to secure the victory. 

The Big Red outscored Oberlin 42-24 in the paint and had a 22-3 advantage in second-chance points. 

The loss dropped the Yeowomen to 12-5 overall and 3-3 in the NCAC, while Denison improved to 13-4 and 4-2 in league play. 

Oberlin is back in action on Wednesday night at Wittenberg University. Tip-time is set for 7 p.m.