Ohio Wesleyan 69, Oberlin 66

Dec. 3, 2003

Junior post Erica Brizendine (Grove City) scored to break a 64-64 tie and put Ohio Wesleyan ahead to stay, then added an insurance bucket during the closing seconds as the Bishops held off Oberlin in their North Coast Athletic Conference opener on Wednesday night at Branch Rickey Arena.

The teams threw runs at each other throughout the first half of a game that would feature 22 lead changes and 12 ties.

Oberlin was first, putting together a Tranice Harrell jumper, a Julia Daher follow shot and an Amber Coleman fast break in rapid-fire succession to turn a 6-4 deficit into a 10-6 lead.

Ohio Wesleyan answered with a 12-0 spurt that featured 6 straight points by junior wing Kelly Heil (Sylvania/Southview) and 4 by junior guard Celina Dopoulos (Strongsville), the latter giving the Bishops an 18-10 lead with 10:24 left in the first half.

The Yeowomen responded with a 10-0 burst that saw Nicole Burford and Coleman each score twice, with Coleman's coast-to-cost drive giving Oberlin a 20-18 lead with 6:14 to play.

Once again, the Bishops came back, putting together 6 straight points on a Brizendine lay-in, a Heil putback and a layup by junior post Liz Newell (Delaware/Hayes) to take a 24-20 advantage with 4:36 left. Oberlin came back with a 7-2 run to go ahead by a count of 27-26, but the Bishops came right back with a 7-1 burst to make it 33-28 in Ohio Wesleyan's favor.

Oberlin had the last laugh in the first half, getting a pair of free throws and a lay-in from Cristina Briboneria and, finally, a Burford jumper from the lane with :06 to play that gave the Yeowomen a 34-33 halftime lead.

The second half was just as evenly-played, with Ohio Wesleyan opening the biggest lead of the period at 49-44 on Heil's 3-pointer with 12:09 left in regulation time.

Senior guard Krystal Sensabaugh (Wapakoneta) hit a key 3-pointer for Ohio Wesleyan, giving the Bishops a 64-61 lead with 3:07 left, but the Yeowomen came back with a 3-point play from Harrell to tie the game at 64-64 with 2:29 remaining.

On the Bishops' next possession, Brizendine canned a jumper from the lane with 2:13 left, and Heil followed with a free throw at the 1:51 mark to hike the Ohio Wesleyan lead to 67-64.

Oberlin closed to within 67-66 on a pair of Burford free throws with :41.9 remaining, but Brizendine answered that with another bucket from the lane with :12.9 on the clock.

The Yeowomen got the ball to halfcourt and called time out with :07.8 left, but the ensuing inbounds pass went through the hands of Burford in the corner. Brizendine was fouled with :02.3 on the clock and missed the front end of a one-and-one and Oberlin cleared the rebound, but Briboneria's 3-point try from beyond half-court was short at the buzzer.

Heil led the Bishops with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Brizendine added 14 points and Ray finished with 10 points.

Burford led Oberlin with 18 points, Briboneria added 17 points, Harrell finished with 15 points and a team-high 9 rebounds and Coleman contributed 10 points. Coleman and Daher shared the team lead with 3 assists apiece.

Back to the top Battling Bishop Athletics page
   
Season Overviews | Fall Schedules | Winter Schedules | Spring Schedules
Team Rosters | Team Statistics | Coaching Staff | Facilities & Maps
Sports Releases | History | Questionnaires | Photo Galleries | "W" Association
 
OWU Home | Search | Info & Tickets | Fall Scores | Winter Scores | Spring Scores
 
Sports Information | Tel: 740-368-3698 | E-Mail: owusport@owu.edu
Mowry Alumni Center, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH 43015
 
What do you think about this site? Fill out a quick feedback form.
 
Copyright © 2003 Ohio Wesleyan University. All rights reserved.
Send Web site questions and comments to websrvcs@owu.edu.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Issues | Affirmative Action