The Oberlin women’s basketball team faced undefeated Wittenberg University for the second time this season on Wednesday, losing to the top team in the conference 97-61.
“Last time we faced Witt, it was a solid game; there were just lapses in places,” sophomore Julia Daher said. “The main thing was rebounding; they got a lot of putbacks they shouldn’t have had.”
Before the game, sophomore Cristina Briboneria had hinted at a little apprehension. “We are basically the underdogs in this game. Wittenburg is undefeated and 12-0 in the conference,” Briboneria said. “They have a lot of experienced players, but they are still very beatable.”
Head coach Christa Champion described the game as “both heartening and disappointing.”
“[Senior] Malisha Richardson used her drop-step/power dribble move several times to go by defenders on the paint,” Champion said. “Cristina Briboneria and [sophomore] Nicole Burford attacked the basket on the dribble with confidence, using multiple fakes and reading the defense.”
Overall ball-handling improved as well. “We had some nice ‘high-low’ plays between [junior] Emily Wells and Malisha Richardson which were pretty to watch,” Champion said.
However, these improvements did not amount to victory. “They were stronger and tougher,” Champion said, “and we got pushed around under the basket. We let [Wittenberg] get more than their fair share.”
Richardson led the team with 18 points. Burford put in 11 points and grabbed six boards and senior Sonja Spencer added 10 points and four rebounds.
The Yeowomen next face Hiram College Saturday in their last home game of the season, which the coaches have dubbed “senior day.”
“We would like to get as many people to come and cheer us on as possible,” Champion said. If Oberlin comes out with a win in this game, they can look forward to another shot at Wittenberg next Tuesday in the first round of the NCAC playoffs.