On Tuesday, Nov. 25, the women’s basketball team secured their first win of the season against Alma College. In a hard fought battle, the Yeowomen ran away with the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring Alma by ten points in the final frame to come out on top 64–51. 

Oberlin held Alma scoreless for the first five minutes of the first quarter. This tenacious defense, along with a strong mentality and team play, helped the Crimson and Gold hold onto their lead until the final whistle. 

Going into this game with zero wins and three losses, the Yeowomen needed grittiness to keep pushing for that first win. College fourth-year and guard Lily Najmulski detailed the team’s gametime mindset.

“The mentality was to compete for 40 minutes,” Najmulski wrote in an email to the Review. “We played against great teams the first couple of games, and we showed ourselves that we could play with anyone.” 

Not only was it crucial to fight hard for the entire game, but it was just as important to play selflessly, rely on others, and have fun. 

College third-year and forward Krystal Montas emphasized the importance of this mindset. 

“The mentality we had coming into this game was to play for each other and have fun because everyone knows this is when we play the best,” Montas said. 

These mentalities paid off for both players. 

Najmulski and Montas co-led the scoring column with 16 points each, a season high for Montas. On top of leading the scoring column, they combined for seven rebounds, three blocks, and five steals. Montas’ performance earned her NCAC Athlete of the Week honors for the third time in her career.

Leading the defense, fourth-year forward Katherine Csiszar tallied a career-high 11 rebounds, finishing just shy of a double-double with nine points. On top of Csiszar’s defensive masterclass, fourth-year guard Angela Kumler finished with nine points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. 

An integral part of the basketball team’s success is their tight bonds, which are strengthened through one of their team-building initiatives

“We do something called hype buddies,” Najmulski wrote. “Each game, every person is paired up, and they write a note to that person before the game. Personally, I love this tradition because it allows me to let my teammates know how much I believe in them.”

While the Yeowomen ended the game up 13 points, they could not grasp a double-digit lead from Alma for almost the entirety of the first three quarters. 

With the third quarter ending and the Yeowomen only up three points, they needed to change something to run away with a lead. For Montas, her motivation came from seeing Csiszar injured. 

“I also think for me personally seeing my teammate Katherine get hurt during the game really made me step up my game and play for her since she had put her body on the line for us,” Montas said.

Montas and Najmulski combined for a perfect six-for-six from the free throw line. This along with great team play led ​​the Crimson and Gold to outscore Alma 19–9 and expand their final lead.

“We had struggled in the third quarter against the previous teams,” Najmulski wrote. “So, I think when we ended that quarter ahead, it felt like we had already overcome our biggest hurdle. We just had to finish it.”

With their first win behind them, the Yeowomen continue to get better each day and strive for continuous wins. 

“Now, it is about showing up every day and competing against each other to keep getting better,” Najmulski wrote. “If we demand more from each other in practice, we can expect to see more in games. We need every person to contribute and fulfill their role to the best of their ability.”

This mentality helped the Yeowomen to their second win of the season. Last Saturday, Csiszar led the Yeowomen to a 63–53 victory over Pomona-Pitzer. With her first ever double-double, Csiszar helped the Crimson and Gold leave California on a positive note. 

“I think getting this win gave us some confidence and showed us that we have the things to be a very successful team later in the season and that we can really play with any team that we are put against,” Montas said.

This Wednesday, Dec. 3, the Yeowomen played their first conference game against The College of Wooster. They kept their momentum going and earned their third win of the season, 58–48.