Sports
Ohio Women’s Basketball falls to Columbia in home opener
By: Lindsey Crawford
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB)- Ohio Women’s Basketball was back in The Convo for their home opener and second game in the 2025-26 season. The Bobcats were coming off an impressive 72-66 win over Texas State on Monday, and hoped to keep that momentum rolling as they faced Columbia.
The Lions picked up their first win of the season against Butler on Friday, a team that beat the Bobcats last year. The last and only time Ohio and Columbia met was in 2022, when the Lions came out on top by over 20 points.
Kicking things off for the Bobcats, Bailey Tabeling showed Ohio was back and not playing around, draining a three within seconds of tipoff. From there, Ohio would take an early lead, showing their strength in the paint with key players of the period being Bella Ranallo and Aliah McWhorter.
However, the Bobcats began to run into some trouble, as the Lions would find their footing late in the quarter. From behind the arc, Columbia’s María Arrebola would prove dangerous to Ohio, giving the Lions three and putting them ahead for the first time in the game. The Bobcats would end the first trailing 18-23.
Into the second, fouls and free throws would be the name of the game. Early on, many calls would lean in favor of Columbia, allowing them to go up by as much as 10 points.
Late in the quarter, Ohio would get their groove back as Ajah Baxter would prove herself essential to the Bobcat attack, picking up two triples with just about three minutes left on the clock bringing Ohio within just four points of Columbia. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, the Lions offense would be too strong and Columbia would end the half up 45-35.
Coming back to the court after halftime, the Lions would expand on their 10-point lead, turning it into nearly 30. Ohio’s first basket wouldn’t come until just over halfway through the quarter, courtesy of a three-pointer by Bella Ranallo. However, the Bobcats were unable to gain any momentum and would end the third quarter down 50-76.
Unfortunately for Ohio, the fourth quarter would bring the same challenges as the others. Despite a valiant effort and fight to recover from the 30-point deficit, Ohio would fall short, losing 92-74.
“Columbia’s a good team, hopefully we’ll be a good team soon,” Ohio head coach Bob Boldon said.
Although the Bobcats did not come out on top today, the team is still hopeful and excited for the rest of their season.
“Obviously things didn’t go the way we wanted it to go, but it was good to be back in the Convo,” guard Aliah McWhorter said. “We want to defend the Convo every time that we play here, so that’s definitely going to be a turn around next time we come in here.”
Ohio will be back in the Convo looking to defend its home court Thursday against Morehead State at 11 a.m.