Sports
Ohio Women’s Basketball falls to Miami
By: Joshua Jacob
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OXFORD, Ohio (WOUB) — The Ohio Bobcats (4-16, 2-8 MAC) packed the bags, preparing to visit the rival Miami RedHawks (12-8, 5-5 MAC) in a fierce reprise of the Battle of the Bricks. It started neck and neck, but throughout the game, Miami pulled away, ending it 72-34.
Going into the game, Miami was dominant at home, only losing three games when it played at Millett Hall.
Ohio has had a rough time in the conference but has put up strong performances in the scoring columns. Saturday was a day that could potentially make or break the rest of their season.
The Bobcats got on the board first, with Bailey Tabeling sinking a floater, but the first quarter was all about the defense.
Both teams combined for 11 turnovers and five blocks in the first alone. This was also because both teams knew that this game would be won by whoever established themselves in the paint—the first quarter ended with Miami ahead 11-6.
This made it easier for them to find easy shots inside to really pack on the points. Miami went into the half with a comfortable 16-point lead, up 30-14.
At the start of the third, Enjulina Gonzalez had 15 points, starting the half with more points than the Bobcats.
She continued this strong play throughout the quarter, adding another seven to bring her total to 23. She also grabbed six rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
This and some lockdown Red Hawk Defense caused Ohio’s offense to become clunky. Head Coach Bob Boldon talked about what led to this.
“We’re introducing lots of new players to a new system if you go down the roster, almost every player that plays for us, minus Kate, has missed significant time throughout the season and has been shifted around,” Boldon said. “All of them have been shifted around Kate to different positions and had to learn different things. And, you know, it’s just a, I think all that kind of contributes to the overall frustration. And, clunkiness, I guess, of the offense is just it hasn’t quite clicked yet.”
Miami left the third, leaving the Bobcats in a 25-point deficit and requiring Ohio to have a monster fourth quarter to get a comeback.
To end the game, the RedHawks finished strong, putting up 21 and holding the Bobcats to 10.
Anyssa Jones ended the game as the leading scorer for Ohio with 10 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
The Bobcats will continue a long road trip heading to Central Michigan to take on the Chippewas, hoping to bounce back on Wednesday.
Miami will look to stay strong at home hosting the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Wednesday.