Hiram, Ohio – The Oberlin College women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 season on Friday evening, traveling to Hiram for a non-conference matchup. The Crimson and Gold battled throughout the contest, but a late fourth-quarter push from the Terriers secured a 54-49 victory over the Obies. Krystal Montas led the way with a double-double, recording 14 points and 20 rebounds. Her 20 rebounds tied the second-highest single-game total in Oberlin women's basketball history.
Janina Viktor paced the Crimson and Gold with 19 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field while adding five rebounds and two steals. Montas finished with 14 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. She also added two assists, three steals and a block. Gabby Peña-Hilzen chipped in seven points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, while Sela Nucum contributed five assists and six rebounds. As a team, Oberlin collected 45 rebounds and 15 steals.
Oberlin came out strong in the opening quarter, trading baskets with Hiram in a tightly contested start. Viktor got the Obies on the board with an early tip-in before Montas connected from beyond the arc to give Oberlin a 6-2 advantage. Viktor continued to provide a spark offensively, scoring multiple baskets in the paint, including a fast-break layup late in the quarter. Despite Oberlin's early momentum, Hiram closed the opening period with free throws to take a narrow 15-13 lead.
The Obies continued to trade baskets with the Terriers in the second quarter. Peña-Hilzen opened the scoring with a layup off an assist from Montas to even the game at 15-15. Jewel Parker followed with a basket in the paint, giving Oberlin a brief 17-16 advantage. Viktor helped the Obies regain the lead at the free-throw line, converting three attempts to put Oberlin ahead 20-18. Stella Sapp-Dietrich added a free throw to extend the lead, but Hiram closed the half with five unanswered points to take a 23-21 advantage into the break.
Oberlin came out of halftime determined to regain control, with Montas opening the scoring with a layup off an assist from Peña-Hilzen to tie the game at 23-23. After Hiram briefly moved ahead, Viktor answered with a basket in the paint to put the Obies back in front. Parker added to the momentum with a fast-break basket before converting a free throw to extend Oberlin's advantage to 28-24.
Hiram responded with a three-pointer and a layup to reclaim the lead, but Montas delivered another strong stretch in the paint, scoring and converting a free throw to put Oberlin ahead 31-29. Peña-Hilzen added two free throws, while Viktor scored another basket late in the quarter. Despite a last-second three-pointer from Hiram, the Crimson and Gold carried a narrow 35-34 lead into the final period.
Oberlin continued to battle in the fourth quarter, with Montas opening the scoring at the free-throw line before adding a layup and another free throw to help the Obies build a 39-37 lead. Viktor followed with a basket in the paint, and Nucum added a free throw to extend Oberlin's advantage to five, 42-37.
The Terriers responded with a three-pointer, but Montas and Nucum continued to deliver at the free-throw line to keep Oberlin in front. With the game tied at 45-45, Montas converted another free throw before Viktor added one more at the line to give the Obies a 47-45 lead. Hiram answered with a three-pointer to move ahead 48-47, but Peña-Hilzen responded with a layup off an assist from Nucum, putting Oberlin back in front, 49-48, with under three minutes remaining. Hiram regained the lead late and converted its opportunities at the free-throw line to secure the 54-49 victory.
The Obies will return to action on Wednesday, November 11, traveling to Adrian, Michigan, to take on Adrian College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Keep up with the Crimson and Gold on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and watch every home game on the Oberlin Sports Network online or on Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV.
