OBERLIN, OH – The Case Western Reserve University women's basketball team erased a 20-point, second-half deficit, but couldn't complete the comeback in a 79-78 overtime loss at Oberlin College on Monday, December 6 at Philips Gym.
The Spartans have now lost four in a row after opening the season at 3-0. The Yeowomen win their second straight and improve to 4-3.
Junior forward Erin Hollinger (Chardon, OH/Chardon) led the Spartans with 20 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Evy Iacono (Cincinnati, OH/Mount Notre Dame) totaled 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Allison Anderson paced the Yeowomen with a game-high 38 points.
Case led 11-10 at 12:19 of the first half when Hollinger drove to the hoop for two. Oberlin got an Anderson three-pointer on the following possession to open a 9-0 run that ended in a Syrea Thomas free throw with 9:31 left in the half.
The Spartans trimmed the deficit to five, at 22-17, following a jumper by sophomore point guard Erica Iafelice (North Canton, OH/Hoover) at 6:27, but the Yeowomen were able to end the period on a 12-2 run to lead 34-19.
Oberlin's lead grew to a high of 20 when Thomas converted a three-point play at 16:37 of the second half. The Spartans then began their rally and got to within 11, at 44-33, when Hollinger and junior forward Sarah Milligan (Canton, OH/Canton McKinley) hit back-to-back three-pointers at 14:04 and 13:35.
The Yeowomen briefly rebuilt their advantage to 14 on an Ashley Young triple that made the score 59-44 at 7:18, but Case was able to answer with a 16-4 run over the next 3:50 and pulled to within 63-60 when Iacono hit a three-pointer with 3:28 left to play.
Oberlin went back up by five, at 66-61, when Anderson hit two free throws with 1:07 remaining. Undaunted, Case got a three-pointer by Iacono to pull within two at 00:57 then tied the game when Hollinger hit a layup at 00:22.
The two teams exchanged baskets to open the overtime period and Case grabbed its final lead of 70-68 when junior forward Chelsea Peck (Mt. Lebanon, PA/Oakland Catholic) scored a layup at 3:29. Oberlin scored five straight and led 73-70 when Kelly Warlich hit a layup at 2:01. The Spartans were unable to recover as the Yeo hit six free throws down the stretch to move ahead 79-74 before sophomore forward Marissa Miles (McDonald, PA/Fort Cherry) hit a three-pointer as time expired.
The Spartans are idle until Sunday, December 19 at the College of Wooster. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.