Sports
Ohio Women’s Basketball: Bad Shooting and Defensive Night for Bobcats Results in Loss to Ball State
By: Alex Porter
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) –- The Ohio Bobcats welcomed Ball State to the Convocation Center on Wednesday evening, looking to extend their win streak to three games.
What was anticipated to be a tight game the whole way lived up to the hype, as Ball State (5-5, 3-3 MAC) bettered Ohio (5-4, 3-3) in overtime, 88-85.
The Bobcats started the game by going absolutely cold from the field. They shot 0-of-13 from three-point land in the first quarter, ultimately finishing the first shooting 22 percent from the field.
They found themselves in a hole early, trailing 20-15 heading into the second quarter, but redshirt Junior Caitlyn Kroll had other things to say about the Bobcats slow shooting start. Kroll hit four threes’ in the second quarter, allowing the Bobcats to stay in the game at halftime, only trailing 42-41.
When both teams came out of the locker room, it was a back-and-forth game until the final horn.
One notable Bobcat that usually has a significant impact on the scoring is Erica Johnson. Johnson, who didn’t score a single point in the first half, came out firing in the third quarter, as she chipped in nine points.
As the game went into the fourth quarter, the ‘Cats two star players, Cece Hooks and Erica Johnson, found themselves in foul trouble, with four fouls each. Although Hooks was in foul trouble, it didn’t stop her from being a valuable piece for the Bobcats to stay in the game.
Hooks brought the intensity from the tip, as she finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and seven steals.
Hooks was one of four Bobcats to reach double figures, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.
The fourth quarter was back and forth, as the whole game was, but perhaps the biggest reasons for the game getting into overtime was Ohio’s defense, turnovers and rebounding.
Ohio head coach Bob Boldon commented on the ‘Cats defense in the overtime loss.
“We’re just a bad defensive team,” Boldon said. “Offensively, we do a nice job. I just wish we were better defensively.”
Ohio gave up 24 points in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals’ highest scoring quarter, followed up by seven points in overtime.
What deterred the Bobcats the most from winning the game Wednesday night was the turnovers. Despite forcing Ball State to a season high 35 turnovers, Ohio still had 22 of their own.
“22 turnovers for this team is embarrassing,” Boldon said.
For Ball State, Anna Clephane led the way with a career high 24 points. Oshlynn Brown had a career night as well, as she finished with 21 points and 19 rebounds.
Ohio will look to bounce back from a tough loss against Ball State as they’ll travel to Central Michigan on Saturday.