University Heights, Ohio – Entering as the No. 6 seed for the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament, the Oberlin College women's basketball team battled No. 3/No.10 John Carroll in the First Round on Tuesday night. Despite holding the Blue Streaks to 19 fewer points than their previous matchup, the Crimson and Gold fell 62-45 to the nationally ranked opponents, finishing the season 8-18 (4-10). 

Going 9-13 from the field and producing a career-high 20 points, Gabby Peña-Hilzen highlighted the offensive action for both teams. The sophomore also added four rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal to the stat sheet. Seniors Angela Kumler and Ellie Pollock-Ballard combined for 16 points, 10 steals, and eight rebounds. 

John Carroll won the race to get on the board opening with a three-pointer, but Krystal Montas matched the Blue Streaks, registering a shot from behind the arc at 6:17. A fast break layup from Kumler allowed the Crimson and Gold to cut the margin to two at 2:32, but JCU finished the first period with a seven-point edge. 

The Blue Streaks continued to boast their national ranking, producing a double-digit advantage less than three minutes into the second session. The hosts administered a strong defense, making it difficult for Oberlin to get on the board. Finishing with the final four points of the frame, Kumler added a pair of free throws while Peña-Hilzen rounded out the quarter with a layup leading into the halftime break. 

The Yeowomen returned from the locker room revitalized, nearly doubling their scoring total in the third quarter from the previous period. En route to her career-high, Peña-Hilzen added Oberlin's first six points from a trio of layups. Pollock-Ballard launched a jumper from within the paint to break up the JCU scoring streak as Peña-Hilzen added seven more points in the period. 

Following a Blue Streak triple at 6:35 in the final quarter, the Crimson and Gold defense held off the opponents for the rest of the game. Katherine Csiszar initiated the Oberlin streak with a jumper as Kumler followed with a trio of free throws. Peña-Hilzen notched a three-pointer to secure her career-high as Lily Najmulski followed with a pair of layups. Closing the period with a pair of free throws from Pollock-Ballard, Oberlin finished the period with a 14-0 surge, outscoring the nationally ranked hosts.

Despite the late surge from the Crimson and Gold, John Carroll capitalized on their early game to secure the First-Round victory. 

"I am so incredibly proud of the fight and resilience that this team showed all season. They kept showing up, they kept finding ways to learn and grow, and they stayed connected," Head Coach Stephany Dunmyer adds. "This was one of the most enjoyable seasons because of the incredible people we shared it with—from the players to the coaching staff and the support staff. I have so much gratitude and love for all of them. Our four amazing seniors left the program better than they found it, and words cannot express how much we will miss them." 

Improving on their three-pointers made this season (147), Oberlin will take a well-earned break before looking ahead to the 2026-27 campaign. John Carroll will progress to the semifinals, where they will play No. 2/No.13 Ohio Wesleyan at the final site in Granville, Ohio. 

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