Sports
Ohio Women’s Basketball loses final home game to Western Michigan
By: Joshua Jacob
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Ohio Women’s Basketball (6-21, 4-12 MAC) prepared for their last game of the season in the convocation center against the Western Michigan Broncos (11-16, 7-9 MAC). The game was back and forth, with neither team quitting. However, Western Michigan stood victorious in this clash, taking the game 75-56.
The Bobcat’s last home game was a crushing rivalry loss against the Miami RedHawks (18-9, 10-6 MAC) 62-53. Ohio was very close to taking that game, but some miss communication and cold stretches had them dropping their senior night matchup
The Broncos’ last game was a tough matchup against Ball State, the MAC’s number one (22-7, 14-2). They lost by 10 points, 55-45, and came to Athens searching for a win.
The game started with both teams able to find success shooting.
Ohio was able to spread the floor, scoring at every level. Western Michigan only got one basket inside, shooting 60% from behind the arc in the first.
The Broncos were able to find open looks due to their quick passing. However, it gave and took as it also caused several turnovers. Western Michigan ended the first quarter up 21-20 in a neck-and-neck game.
The Bobcats hit the air in the second, getting a three to take the lead, 23-21. From there, they went on a 9-2 run, getting the lead to 29-23.
The fight was obvious, with eight lead changes in the first half. However, Ohio was able to tough it out and take the lead going into the half, 40-39.
After returning from the half, the Broncos were full steam ahead, going on a 16-4 run to get the momentum going.
Ohio went through a slump in the third quarter. They couldn’t find the bottom of the net as they shot 20% from the field and only scored 7 points in the quarter.
Western Michigan would use this to their advantage as they scored 21 in the third, with Hannah Spitzley scoring 7 in the quarter, leading the Broncos to end the third up 60-47.
In the fourth, the momentum had shifted, and Western Michigan was shooting the ball confidently.
The Bobcats would get some tough buckets, including Kennedy Watkins, who had an and-one layup, but it wouldn’t be enough to mount a comeback.
Maggie Stutelberg was their leading scorer, finishing with 18 points, two rebounds, and an assist.
Watkins would be the leading scorer for Ohio, with 15 points and three rebounds.
Head coach Bob Boldon talked about Why this team is so special to him, no matter the record.
“That’s been the most common thing like we maybe we haven’t been good enough some nights, but we’ve never not cared about each other, and that is to me what’s made coaching this team so special, and again, the win and losses certainly have not gone our way, but there’s a lot there’s a lot of good that came out of this year and something that I’m very proud to be a part of it, and it starts with our players it’s because of our players.”
Ohio will play its last game of the season at Ball State this Saturday, tipping off at 1 p.m.
Western Michigan will travel to New York on Saturday to face the Buffalo Bulls. The game will tip off at 2 p.m.