MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury College women’s basketball team pulled away early in the second half on Sunday for a 56-44 win over visiting Oberlin. The 3-4 Panthers led 24-22 at intermission and opened the second half with a 12-2 run.
The Yeowomen (5-5) built an early 9-2 advantage with seven points from Christina Marquette. The Panthers opened the game shooting 1-for-13 from the floor, but four made free throws kept the game close before Alexis Coolidge started a 10-2 run with a bucket at 9:27. Middlebury took its first lead of the game at 14-13 on a Rachel Crews basket at 6:38.
An Elizabeth Knox jumper broke a 22-22 tie for the Panthers and gave them the halftime lead. Scarlett Kirk, making her first appearance for the basketball team after helping her soccer team to the NCAA Division III Final Four, garnered first-half team-bests of eight points and six rebounds off the bench.
Laura Lowry chipped in 10 of her team-high 18 points in the decisive 12-2 run that made it 36-24 at 14:35. 
Oberlin cut the Middlebury advantage to 40-33, but the lead bulged to 14 points on an 8-1 Panther burst.
Kirk finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in her return, while Sarah Marcus added six points, eight rebounds and a game-high six assists.
Marquette led all players with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Lillian Jahan added 12 points and five rebounds for Oberlin.
Middlebury was set to host Smith on Wednesday and will visit Medaille on Friday before hosting Plattsburgh at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.