Sports
Ohio Women’s Basketball: Bobcats take undefeated road record to Toledo
By: Bryan Kurp
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ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio women’s basketball team (20-2, 9-2 MAC) – undefeated at 8-0 in true road games – will travel to Savage Arena, a hostile environment, Wednesday night to face Toledo (14-7, 6-4 MAC).
“They’re going to have four to five thousand people there, which is unique for a MAC game,” head coach Bob Boldon said. “They just win a lot of home games for whatever reason. Tricia [Cullop] does a great job at coaching them. They play to their strengths.”
The Rockets are coming off a 63-43 home win over Eastern Michigan last Saturday.
Senior center Kaayla McIntyre is Toledo’s leading scorer, averaging 15.5 points per game and seven rebounds per game. McIntyre has also blocked 32 shots this season. Sophomore guard Nakiah Black averages about ten points per game.
“[Toledo’s] done a great job of scoring in the paint from both their post players and their guards,” Boldon said. “They’re posting up their guards more now than they ever have. They’re a challenge. You really have to protect the paint. They do a good job of pounding it inside.”
On the defensive end, the Rockets average about 38 rebounds per game while holding opponents to 33 rebounds. Toledo also averages six steals and 2.5 blocks.
Like the Rockets, Ohio is also coming off a victory Saturday – a 78-75 win over Central Michigan.
CeCe Hooks is Ohio’s leading scorer – averaging 17.3 points per game. Four other players average double-figure point totals – Erica Johnson (14.3), Amani Burke (13.2), Gabby Burris (13.1), and Dominique Doseck (11.9). The Bobcats average over 82 points per game this season and just under 80 points in conference games.
Defensively, the Bobcats allow around 65 points per game and grab 37 rebounds per game, as well as ten steals.
Even though the Bobcats have had success on the road this season, they are going to have to give a lot of effort against Toledo in a tough road environment.
“We know that if we don’t come out with the same kind of energy [as Saturday], we can lose.” Ohio guard CeCe Hooks said. “We don’t want that because we’re doing very well.”
Ohio and Toledo will tip-off at 7 p.m. Wednesday night from inside Savage Arena.