Sports

Eastern Carolina Hands Ohio Women’s Basketball First Loss


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Despite Ohio taking an 11-0 lead to start the game, the Bobcats suffered their first loss of the season in a 76-68 defeat at the hands of the Eastern Carolina Pirates.

Eastern Carolina’s hot shooting was too much for the Bobcats to handle. The Pirates went on a 20-6 run in the second half, which was led by Janesha Ebron who had nine-straight points in that run. She finished with 22 points on the night.

Ohio’s defense has struggled in the second half on all year, but the Bobcats have yet to pay the price for it until tonight. The Pirates hit 60 percent from 3-point-land and Jada Payne and Ebron combined for 21 points in the second half

“Our movement was not real good tonight, and their length exploited that,” Ohio head coach Bob Boldon said.

Eastern Carolina pressed and trapped Ohio all night, forcing the Bobcats into 19 turnovers and only 11 assists. Ohio looked out of sync, especially during the Pirates' big run in the second half.

After Ohio’s run 11-0 run to open the game, Eastern Carolina responded with nine unanswered points. Kiyanna Black hit a 3-pointer to end the Pirates run, but Eastern Carolina continued to stay in the ball game.

The Pirates took the team’s first lead of the game at 21-20 with 6:17 left in the half. The game was back and fourth the rest of the half, and the teams entered the locker rooms with Eastern Carolina up 32-30.

In the second half, Byard gave Ohio the lead at 37-36 with 15:35 left in the game, but Eastern Carolina answered right back. Whenever Ohio tried to cut or take the lead, the Pirates answered right back. With 11:14 left, Eastern Carolina held a one-point lead at 46-45.

After a media timeout, Eastern Carolina went on its run. Shae Nelson hit three straight from behind the arc, and the Pirates took a 59-49 lead with 8:05 left. Eastern Carolina extended the lead to a game high of 14 at 64-49.

Ohio fought to cut the lead, but two Bobcat turnovers on back-to-back possessions under two minutes to play in the game helped ice the game for the Pirates.

The Pirates put the game out of reach by making 14 of 20 free throws down the stretch.

Black led Ohio with 17 points. Lexie Baldwin put up 14 and had six rebounds, and Kat Yelle had 14 points of her own. Quiera Lampkins had a solid all-around game with 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Ohio shot only 34.5 percent from the field, and 28 percent from three.

Ohio has nine days to prepare for its next game. The ‘Cats take on James Madison at the Convo on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.