Sports
Bobcats Host Central Michigan in Matchup of Streaking Teams
By: Jordan Gallagher
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Ohio will put its seven-game winning streak on the line Saturday when it hosts Central Michigan.
The Bobcats may be the hottest team in the MAC but the Chippewas are not too far behind with two straight wins and a 9-6 record.
A big key for both teams in this game will be defense as each team averages over 65 points per game. Ohio averages 69.1 and Central Michigan averages 76 points. Both teams also shoot the ball well and if either team hopes to win they will need to keep the other from scoring easy buckets.
One big struggle for the Chippewas this season has been their ability to hang on to the basketball and to force turnovers of their own, as have -1.1 turnover differential. This is an area where the Bobcats should look to take advantage given that Ohio forces over 18 turnovers a game and is extremely well-versed in turning those turnovers into points.
The Bobcats should look to rely on the continued emergence of Quiera Lampkins in this game. The guard has seen her play continue to improve throughout the season, showing an ability to score consistently. The junior has been on the rise in her last ten games and has been a big part of Ohio’s seven straight wins. So far this season, Lampkins is averaging nearly 15 points per game while shooting 45 percent and grabbing nearly five rebounds a game.
“She’s really good at getting to the basket,” Ohio head coach Bob Boldin said. “In the past it was if she can’t get to the basket she can’t score and now she has developed a three point shot that she is gaining confidence in.”
For Central Michigan, this game is simply going to come down to whether or not they can get Presley Hudson and Cassie Breen going. The two have been absolutely dominate for the Chippewas and have led the team in scoring eight times this season. Both players are shooting over 40 percent from the field this season. The two also bring differing styles of play to the floor with Hudson picking up 62 assists and Breen shooting 44 percent from deep.
The Bobcats will Face Central Michigan at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center on Saturday January, 16.