HIRAM, Ohio - January 3, 2024 - In a tight conference affair against Oberlin, the Hiram Terriers fought hard but fell just short, 66-61, inside Price Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

The Terriers trailed by as many as 15 points in the game before chipping away and eventually coming within single-digits of beating a team that entered play with a 9-2 record.

Hiram saw a huge contribution from its bench, as the team tallied 22 points off the bench compared to Oberlin's 6 points. 

Hiram continued to narrow the margin courtesy of clutch points from first-year Payton Black and junior Brooke Hickman.

Black scored 12 points off the bench while shooting 50% from the field and hitting a pair of 3-pointers; she also collected 4 steals to add to her team-leading total of 27.

Hickman had a great game for the Terriers, as she put up 12 points while defending the paint with 3 blocks on the night. The Hiram defense has allowed just 58 points per game this season, which is the 3rd-lowest mark in the conference.

Junior Breyana Buxton also used her minutes well, scoring 8 points to add to the bench production.

Hiram came up short in the game's final minutes due to some pivotal plays by Oberlin; Gina Lombard, Camille Zinaich, Ellie Pollock-Ballard and Alyson Jefferson all were able to score in double-digits in the conference opener.

The Hiram women's basketball team will be at home for its next game, as the Terriers take on DePauw on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside Price Gymnasium.