OBERLIN, OHIO — Junior guard Tiffany Shields (Bedford Heights/Bedford) scored a team-high 12 points and grabbed a game-tying best 10 rebounds as the Hiram College women’s basketball team defeated Oberlin College, 61-58, today (Saturday, Jan. 22) in a North Coast Athletic Conference game in Oberlin. [Game Stats]
With the win, the Terriers improve to 10-7 overall and 3-4 in the NCAC. The Yeowomen fall to 6-12 overall and 1-6 NCAC.
Oberlin took control early, beginning the game with a 14-0 scoring run. The Hiram offense then came alive as the Terriers outscored the Yeowomen, 21-5, and took a 21-19 lead on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Emily Smerchansky (Girard) at the 6:57 mark. Both teams exchanged leads in the final minutes of the opening period, but it would be Hiram who would have a slim 34-32 advantage at the break.
The Terriers built an eight-point margin with 4:12 left to play in the second half thanks to a layup by junior guard Kelsey Durichko (Brunswick) as part of a 9-0 run making the score 57-49. But Oberlin wouldn’t go quietly as the Yeowomen narrowed the gap to one point, 59-58, with15 seconds remaining. Following a series of fouls by Oberlin to send Hiram to the free-throw line, Shields would come up with a critical offensive rebound which led to a pair of free-throws by senior guard Jess Cowan (Hiram/Crestwood) to give the Terriers a three-point lead with just four seconds left. Oberlin had one final chance to tie the game with a last second three-pointer, but the shot missed its mark, sealing a 61-58 Hiram victory.
Oberlin had two players score in double-figures led by Kelly Warlich with a game-high 20 points on nine-of-18 shooting (50.0 percent) and also grabbed a game-tying high 10 rebounds. Allison Anderson scored 17 points to go along with seven boards.
Hiram was led by Shields’ 12 points on five-of-16 shooting (31.3 percent) in addition to her 10 rebounds. Cowan was the only other Terrier to score in double digits with 10 points.
Hiram will travel to Pepper Pike for a non-conference game against Ursuline College on Tuesday, Jan. 25. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495 or by email at hoedjtm@hiram.edu.
