Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College women's basketball team made a profound statement to opposing North Coast Athletic Conference foes – proving that they are a true contender with a convincing 71-59 win over the visiting Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan University.
 
It was senior Christina Marquette who led the scoring punch with 26 points, but tonight's effort was one of the best all-around performances the Yeowomen have put together in quite sometime. The play of first-year Tyler Parlor (10 points, 9 rebounds) and junior Caroline Hamilton, who poured in 13 points to go along with a career-high seven rebounds and four assists off the bench really propelled the team in the second half.
 
Rookie Abby Andrews also had a large say in Oberlin's 47-36 rebounding advantage as she had a career-best 11 boards to accompany her six points.
 
The victory marked the first time the Yeowomen have beaten the Bishops since January 24, 2004 when they overcame a 38-32 half-time deficit to win 63-60 at Philips Gym.
 
With tonight's showing Marquette also moved into second on the all-time scoring list, surpassing the legendary Ann Gilbert who netted 1,527 points in just two seasons (91-92) with the Yeowomen.  Marquette now has 1,550 points, trailing all-time leader Nzinga Broussard by 143. The Heisman Club Hall of Famer netted a school-best 1,693 points between the 1999-2002 seasons.
 
The first half was nip-and-tuck throughout as no more than six points separated the two foes in a period that featured seven ties. Oberlin trailed 29-23 at the 4:27 mark, but would eventually take the lead with an 11-4 run that featured 3-pointers from Marquette and Hamilton. It was Hamilton's old-fashioned 3-point-play with under a minute to go that ultimately made it a 34-33 Yeowomen cushion. In the closing moments a deep triple-hit from Marquette sent Oberlin into the locker room with a slim 37-35 advantage.
 
In the second half Oberlin worked to create separation, but the Bishops would not go away easily as it remained just a two-point game at 51-49 with 11:03 to go. However, the Yeowomen defense locked down, holding the Bishops to just 10 points the rest of the way.
 
Another 3-pointer from Hamilton capped a 20-4 Oberlin run that lasted seven minutes to make the score 71-53 and effectively put the game out of reach.
 
Oberlin shot 44.3-percent (31-of-70) from the floor, while OWU checked in at 35.9-percent (23-of-64). Both teams now have identical 9-8 records overall and each are 5-3 in the NCAC.
 
The Yeowomen will back in action on Saturday afternoon when they cross state lines to take on the Allegheny College Gators in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Tip-time is set for 1 p.m.