Sports
Ohio Women’s Basketball get swept in season series against Miami, falls 62-53
By: Evan Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Playing in the second leg of a doubleheader with Ohio men’s basketball, the women’s team also looked to get a big win over Miami. The game was close for all four quarters and was a defensive battle. In the end, Miami hit the big shots and they won 62-53.
The Battle of the Bricks is a rivalry between Miami and Ohio with over a century of hate. For women’s basketball, the first matchup between the two occurred in 1975. Since then, there have been 102 matchups of competitive basketball.
In the first game between the two this season, the Bobcats had their worst offensive performance only scoring 34 points. They looked to flush that game and focus on splitting the series on senior night.
“They genuinely care about each other, and those seniors have done a great job at trying to be leaders, be older sisters to the younger kids and the kids appreciate that,” said Head Coach Bob Boldon on the senior’s impact on this team.
The offense has improved significantly over the last several games, but it again struggled to start the game. With 3:13 left in the first quarter, a Danni Scully lay-up was the Bobcats’ first basket from the field.
From there, the offenses took off for both squads. Ohio went on a 7-0 run, but Miami responded by making back-to-back triples to end its five-minute scoring drought. Both teams had 14 points at the end of the quarter.
The Bobcat defense was locked down in the first period, forcing eight turnovers. But the Redhawks would not go away. They started the game 5 for 10 from behind the arc.
The next quarter was a defensive battle, each team fell into a scoring drought and could not get any shots to fall. Bailey Tabeling got the scoring open for the Bobcats, draining a three and then getting an and-one on a layup.
Those were the only points Ohio scored in the final six minutes of the second quarter, but it was all they needed to take the lead 27-25 going into the half.
Miami immediately took the lead back in the third quarter. They forced Ohio to use a timeout just 1:19 into the half. The defense settled down for the Bobcats, but the offense still could not find any rhythm.
Ohio did not make their first basket from the field in the second half until a tough Cassidy LaFler lay-up with 4:34 left in the third quarter.
Whenever the Bobcats needed someone to step up it was Danni Scully that was there. She hit a big three late in the third quarter to take the lead back. She had her best performance of the season after scoring 10 points while grabbing eight boards.
“I would say I was pretty low confidence in the beginning of the season. Throughout the season my team has really helped me go and be myself as much as I can,” said Danni Scully on her development in her freshman season.
Miami never went away, always responding with a big shot of their own. Their offensive success came from behind the arc where they drained nine threes in the game.
Down six heading into the final quarter, Ohio needed to get their offense going. They shot just 23.6% in the game. But they went an impressive 21/26 from the charity stripe, keeping them in the game.
“We didn’t shoot the ball very well, but I don’t think that was because of bad offense. I think Miami played some really good defense,” said Head Coach Bob Boldon on his team’s offensive performance.
Ohio trailed the entire fourth quarter, they brought the score within two but were never able to hit the big shot to take the lead. Miami held on for the season sweep claiming victory 62-53.
Bailey Tabeling was the game’s leading scorer with 17 points. The Redhawks had three players score double-digit points.
Miami will return home for their final two games of the regular season facing Central Michigan on Wednesday, and Northern Illinois on Saturday.
Ohio will play its final home game of the season on Wednesday against Western Michigan.