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[Payton Brooker | WOUB]

Ohio’s senior day spoiled by Eastern Michigan, 74-64

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — On senior day in the Convocation Center, Ohio (6-23, 4-14) hosted Eastern Michigan (15-14, 7-11) in its final game of the year. The Bobcats had previously beaten the Eagles on Feb. 1 65-55. However, in Saturday’s game, the Bobcats were unable to keep pace with Eastern Michigan and fell short 74-64. 

Ohio senior Abby Garnett got the day started by hitting a quick three-pointer to start the scoring for the Bobcats. Garnett’s triple was answered by a fast four points from Eagles junior guard Ce’Nara Skanes. Skanes ended up scoring six of the first eight points and 11 in the first quarter for Eastern Michigan. 

After a back-and-forth opening seven minutes, Eastern Michigan went on an 11-2 run to finish the first leading by a score of 23-16.  

Abby Garnett, 20, of Ohio University, looks to her teammates to pass the ball to advance down the court, at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2022. The Ohio University Bobcasts lost to the Ohio State University Buckeyes 56-86.
Abby Garnett, 20, of Ohio University, looks to her teammates to pass the ball to advance down the court, at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2022. The Ohio University Bobcasts lost to the Ohio State University Buckeyes 56-86. [Charlie Nick | WOUB]
Just as she did to start the first, Abby Garnett hit a three to open the second quarter. Yaya Felder hit a three as well to cut the Eagles lead down to just one. Felder ended up scoring 11 of Ohio’s 16 second-quarter points. 

During the second, Eastern Michigan experienced a scoring drought of over four minutes, however, Ohio was unable to capitalize on the Eagles offensive woes. To end the second quarter, Eastern Michigan went on an 8-0 stretching their halftime lead to eight. 

Coming back from halftime, Ohio was unable to make up much ground and had to call an early timeout. After the timeout, Yaya Felder began to take over the game for the Bobcats.  

Felder ended up scoring 14 points in the third including a four-point play. Unfortunately, the Bobcat’s Jaya McClure scored the only other bucket in the quarter. The Eagles spread out their 20 points in the quarter between seven players. Heading into the fourth Eastern Michigan held a 12-point lead, 60-48. 

Despite the deficit, Ohio continued to fight in the final quarter. The Bobcats made three triples to keep the Eagles on their toes but throughout the final quarter Eastern Michigan kept Ohio at an arm’s length away.  

Late in the fourth, Yaya Felder fouled out finishing the game with 35 points, four rebounds and four assists. Despite her big performance, she was outdueled by an Eastern Michigan guard combo. Ce’Nera Skanes and Lachelle Austin scored 21 and 25 points respectively. A total of 46 points between the two led the Eagles to victory. 

After the tough loss Abby Garnett became emotional when reflecting on her time with Ohio.

“This program has meant a lot to me; you know I’ve been here since 2018 so rode it out all the way,” she said. “It really challenged me not only mentally but physically, challenged my character and turned me into a better person.” 

Garnett finished the day with 11 points, capping off her four-year career with the Bobcats.