Sports
Strong Second Half Propels Ohio to Win
By: Jordan Gallagher
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The Bobcats overcame a rough first half to come away with a 73-63 win over Western Michigan in their first conference game of the season Saturday.
For much of this season, the Bobcats have struggled to close out games but this game was just the opposite. After shooting just 39 percent in the first half, they shot 47 percent in the second and managed to pull away after Broncos pulled to within three at the 2:40 mark.
After struggling to put the ball in the basket, including an 0-10 stretch shooting to start the game, the Bobcats found themselves down 29-20 when freshman Dominique Doseck stepped up. Doseck nailed an open three to start a big come back for the Bobcats. The three was the third of the game for Doseck, but she was not done there. She scored again on the next possession to bring the Bobcats to within four at 29-25.
At the end of the third, the Broncos still maintained a 35-30 lead, but just three minutes into the third that changed. A Lexi Baldwin layup tied the game at 35 for the Bobcats. However, Western Michigan pushed its lead back out to four before was Kiyanna Black nailed a three to bring Ohio within one. Just a minute later, it was Kelly Karlis who gave the Bobcats their first lead of the game, 40-39, with 4:06 remaining.
The biggest factor for the Bobcats was Quiera Lampkins, who finished the game with a career-high 33 points, 28 of which came in the second half. After Karlis gave the ‘Cats the 40-39 edge, Lampkins absolutely caught fire for Ohio. The junior guard scored 18 of the next 20 points for the Bobcats including 15 straight at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth. The run helped push the Bobcats lead to seven, and from there, they never looked back.
For the Bobcats, it was strong defense and good rebounding that allowed them to get back into the game, as they held the Broncos to just 11 points in the third quarter and held them to just 39 percent shooting in the second half.
The Bobcats next game will be at home in the Convo when they take on Ball State at 7:00 pm on January 6th.