OBERLIN, Ohio – The Allegheny women's basketball team traveled to the campus of Oberlin College Wednesday night in a rematch of their game just one month ago. In their previous match-up, the Gators overpowered the Yeowomen in a 19 point victory at home; however, Allegheny would find a very motivated Oberlin squad waiting to avenge their earlier loss. The Gators would find themselves down by as much as 11, but would once again show why they can never be counted out, beating Oberlin 68-63.
The first half would see the home team dominate for the majority of it, sprinting out to a seven point lead in the first five and a half minutes. Allegheny would chip at the lead, but Oberlin would keep the Gators at bay. Then the Yeowomen would go on an 8-0 run over a six and a half minute span to extend their lead to 11.
It looked as if Oberlin was going to take their momentum into the half, until Allegheny answered with a 15-4 run of their own over the final 3:55 to tie the game at 26 going into halftime. It would all start with a jumper in the paint by junior Heidi Goeller, who cut the lead to nine. From the junior trio of Goeller, Ann Ryan, and Daryl Ford would spark Allegheny with lock down defense, clutch free-throw shooting, and lights out shooting.
After flipping the game on its head in the final minutes of the first half, Allegheny looked to continue their play in the final frame; but Oberlin would look to regain their first half spark as well.
The home team again would grab the lead early, this time; however, Allegheny would keep the Yeowomen within striking distance. Freshman Kendall Hoffman would tie the game for the fifth time on a layup in the paint, to set up what would be a sprint to the finish.
The lead would change a handful of times until an Erica Restich layup would put Allegheny up for good with just 3:03 remaining. Clutch shooting and good, hardnosed defense would close it out as the Gators would win their second consecutive conference game after falling to DePauw last week.
Goeller would lead all Allegheny scorers with 19 points, to go along with 12 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season. Ford would contribute with 13 points of her own, and freshman Marina Scarantino would have perhaps the best game of her young career, scoring 11 points on 4-6 shooting (3-4 from three), while dishing out five assists.
The win improves Allegheny to 10-5 overall, and 5-1 in conference play. The Gators will be back in action on Saturday, January 14 when they will host the Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.