By Neil Riley
Sports Editor
This season, forward Jordan Holmes ‘17 has been playing like a Big Red titan among yeowomen. Her unrelenting rebounding and blocking efforts have been instrumental to the basketball team’s success this season and helped convincingly push DU past Oberlin on Dec. 2 by a score of 64-46.
Denison’s defensive efficiency played a crucial part to their victory. Oberlin converted only 31 percent of their field goals thanks to stifling discipline from the Big Red defense and a limited number of second chances from offensive rebounds.
Taylor Lindquist ‘16, who contributed four assists in the win over the Yeowomen, highlighted the importance of the team’s strategy to their 6-2 record this season.
“As a team, we really pride ourselves on our defensive effort,” Lindquist said. “We always say that our defense is what will win games. We push ourselves defensively in practices in order to have the effort translate onto the court come game time. Offensively our main goal is to work together and play as a unit.”
“Our big goal of the year is to win a conference championship and as of right now we are constantly striving to get better,” Lindquist said.
The Big Red implemented an effective offensive strategy. They relied heavily on low post points from Holmes, who scored 26 points and added 17 rebounds to her total. Holmes’ career rebound total now stands at 935, which makes her the all-time leader for Denison basketball.
Holmes credited the team’s rigorous preparation as the main difference against Oberlin.
“I think our coaches prepared us really well,” said the forward. “We really studied each individual’s offensive tendencies as well as Oberlin’s plays. Our guards were able to contain Oberlin’s best player and not allow her to get off as many shots as she normally does. Also I don’t think Oberlin was able to handle our inside game both on offense and defense.”
The matchup against the Yeowomen marked DU’s first home game in over two weeks and their first conference game of the season.
Merely eight games through the campaign, Holmes is already impressed with the team’s steady improvement.
“Many of the games have given our younger players experience and most importantly give the team collectively a sense a confidence” Holmes said.
“These games have taught us what we need to work on as far as turnovers. I really believe that we are starting to play together as a cohesive unit.”
The Big Red will return to their season and NCAC conference competition against Ohio Wesleyan on Dec. 8 in the Livingston Gymnasium.