OBERLIN, Ohio (February 21, 2023) – The fifth-seeded Denison University women's basketball team put up a great fight against fourth-seeded Oberlin College during the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals, but in the end, a strong start to the fourth quarter for the Yeowomen was too much for the Big Red to overcome in a 72-62 defeat at Phillips Gymnasium.

Denison held an early 15-11 lead in the first quarter after back-to-back layups by Molly Fisher and Maddie Goodman and then took a 20-17 lead after the opening period thanks to a 3-pointer in the final 10 seconds by Gabby Elliott.

The Big Red shot 57.1 percent (8-for-14) in the first quarter and limited Oberlin to 1-for-9 shooting from 3-point range to post the early advantage, but in the second quarter, both teams struggled to shoot it and finished below 32 percent from the field.

A jumper by Hannah Wynn made it 30-26 Big Red in the final 30 seconds of the first half before a buzzer beater by the Yeowomen made it only a two-point margin (30-28) at the break.

Then in the third quarter, Denison allowed Oberlin to put up 24 points on 52.6 shooting from the field and three 3-pointers while the Yeowomen took a four-point lead (52-48) into the fourth quarter.

The momentum from 3-point range was about to pay major dividends for the home team as after 14 ties and 12 lead changes in the first three quarters, neither team led by more than four points in the game until Oberlin opened up the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to take a 55-48 lead.

The Yeowomen then connected again from long range on their next possession to make it a 10-point game before starting the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run and ultimately making it a 14-point deficit (66-52) with six minutes left to play.

After a layup by Ava Warcaba made it 66-54 with just under five minutes remaining, another 3-pointer by Elliott got Denison to within single digits (66-57) before a jumper by Abigail Westmeyer made it 66-59 with three and a half minutes to go.

With just over two minutes remaining, Elliott came up with a steal and the ensuing layup to make it only a five-point game (66-61) and cap a 9-0 Big Red run.

Unfortunately, Denison would not be able to get any closer as Oberlin went 6-for-8 from the free throw line in the final two minutes and held the Big Red to 0-for-4 shooting with a pair of turnovers.

Over the course of the second half, Oberlin shot over 50 percent from the field and was 5-for-10 from 3-point range to pull away.

Another difference in the game was the 13-5 edge on the offensive glass for the Yeowomen, leading to a 12-4 advantage on second chance points.

Denison was led in scoring by Elliott with a game-high 18 points on 4-for-8 shooting from three and 7-for-14 shooting overall.

Westmeyer and Mikaila Carpenter both added nine points while Wynn scored eight points and dished out five assists.

Westmeyer led the Big Red on the boards with seven rebounds.

Denison wraps up its first season under the direction of Head Coach Maureen Hirt with an overall record of 10-16 while finishing fifth in the NCAC standings. Oberlin, meanwhile, improves to 16-10 and will advance to the NCAC semifinals for the second straight season.