Sports

Ohio Women’s Basketball Off To 6-0 Start


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Kiyanna Black led the way with 19 points as Ohio women’s basketball extended its winning streak to six with an 87-67 victory over Morehead State, marking Ohio's best start to a season since 1986.

“I wasn’t even born yet, so 1986 seems like a century ago,” Kat Yelle said.

“It is a good feeling, I am really happy for that group of players,” Ohio head coach Bob Boldon said. “Being six and zero wasn’t one of the team’s goals. We have to attack practice tomorrow, and prepare for a tough opponent in ECU.”

The Bobcats held the Eagles to a mere 34 percent from the field, but Morehead State was able to get to the line 31 times. The Eagles made 27 of their free throws, which helped them keep the game close early on.

Ohio forced 18 turnovers including four blocks from Kelly Karlis. Four Bobcats registered two steals, which led to many fast-break opportunities.

The referees limited the flow of the game, calling plenty of fouls. Yamonie Jenkins fouled out late in the second half, while four other Bobcats had three fouls. The fouls were called both ways, as the Eagles had two players with four fouls and one with three.

It was Education Day at the Convo, so several local middle schools were in attendance for the 11 a.m. tip-off.

The Bobcats started out a bit slow, only leading Morehead St. 14-12 after the second media timeout in the first half. Ohio took control of the game soon after, taking a 10 point lead at 23-13 with 8:54 to go in the first. The Bobcats never looked back, and the team took a 40-31 lead into half.

Ohio added to its lead in the second half. Morehead State was unable to chip away at the Bobcats’ lead due to great defensive play.

The Eagles got into the bonus with 10:12 left in the game, but couldn’t take advantage of the amount of fouls on the Bobcats. Ohio entered the bonus shortly after, and got to the line 20 times in the second half, and took 14 more free throw attempts than in the first half.

Morehead State’s Aimesha Jones registered her 1,000th point during the second half. Jones was clearly the Eagles’ best player today, scoring 21 points and dishing out seven assists.

Ohio was led by the standout play of junior guard Kat Yelle, who had 10 points and six assists. Jenkins, the nation’s leader in assists-to-turnover ratio, played to her title recording three assists and zero turnovers.

Six Bobcats scored in double figures, led by Black’s 19. Hannah Boesinger recorded 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, to help the Bobcats.

Ohio shot 45.3 percent from the field, and 41.2 percent from 3-point land. The Bobcats struggled at the line, shooting only 65.4%, a number that will need to improve once games start to become closer.

“We have been playing exceptionally in practice, getting to know the team, and moving the ball around,” Yelle said.

Ohio takes on 6-1 Eastern Carolina at 7 p.m. at the Convo on Dec. 6.