Oberlin, Ohio – Hosting the Kenyon Owls for a midweek matchup, the Oberlin College men's basketball team fell to their rivals 78-72 on Wednesday night. Despite climbing back from a double-digit deficit, the Crimson and Gold fall to 9-8 (2-6) on the year.
 
Zach Smith racked up a team-best 18 points to go along with two rebouns and two assists. Alongside him, JJ Gray added 15 points and four assists, while Rob Magner finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and one block.
 
Milun Micanovic anchored the defense with ten rebounds and a steal. His rookie counterpart, Sam Kamenko, followed suit with eight rebounds and two steals.
 
Oberlin got off to a slow start behind Kenyon, taking their first lead of the game at 13:59 on a layup from Noah Kim. Ensuing free throws from Kim gave the Yeomen a three-point lead, setting Oberlin on a path to extend their advantage. Up by as much as nine, Oberlin held their lead until 1:06 when the Owls stormed back into the game behind consecutive triples.
 
Down 38-35 to start the second half, the Yeomen continued to struggle defensively, giving up nine unanswered points to begin the frame. Oberlin scored their first points from the field after Magner pulled in a rebound and converted his defensive efforts into a three-pointer seconds later. Magner hit another triple in the next minute as Oberlin began to climb back into the contest.
 
On a 13-4 run, the Yeomen cut the lead to five with three minutes remaining. After Kenyon responded, Smith knocked down a three-pointer and then a jumper on a fast break to but slim the lead down to two. Looking for the equalizer Oberlin put the Owls on the line. Despite missing the second free throw, Kenyon snagged the rebound and tipped it in for a layup. Gray sprinted down court to score quickly, but it was too little too late and the Yeomen came up short.
 
Oberlin looks to get back on track with a road test against Wooster on Saturday, January 24. The 2 p.m. begins a revenge match against the Fighting Scots who beat the Yeomen earlier this season.
 
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