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Ohio Women's Basketball guard Aliah McWhorter jumping with Monica Williams after making the game-winning shot against UIC.
Ohio Women’s Basketball guard Aliah McWhorter jumping with Monica Williams after making the game-winning shot against UIC. [Andy McLean | WOUB Public Media]

Ohio Women’s Basketball makes two late shots to defeat UIC

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The University of Illinois Chicago (4-5) traveled to Athens to take on Ohio Women’s Basketball (4-3) in an aggressive game at the Convocation Center.
Both teams stepped onto the court with tied records, having come off a loss, and were looking to tilt their records in favor of a winning one.
Ohio’s clutch shooting late led the Bobcats to a 72-70 win over the Flames.
Ohio Women’s Basketball also honored Morgan’s Message in this game, spreading mental health awareness for student athletes.
Ohio guard Aliah McWhorter won the opening tipoff and set the stage for an impressive show down. But both teams’ scores climbed slowly.
The uneventful first half was saving energy for a nail-biting ending. The Bobcats’ most notable stat this season has been turnovers. Redshirt sophomore Bella Ranallo has been big for the Ohio forcing turnovers, and she added 5 steals against Friday night.
She also excelled in keeping possession, contributing heavily to the team’s 13 offensive rebounds.
Ohio Women's Basketball guard Bailey Tabeling shooting a late three in front of the Ohio bench vs UIC.
Ohio Women’s Basketball guard Bailey Tabeling shooting a late three in front of the Ohio bench vs UIC. [Andy McLean | WOUB Public Media]

After the Bobcats led for the entirety of the game, UIC took the lead with five minutes left in the third. In that quarter, UIC went on a 12-2 scoring run. The third ended 56-54 in favor of Ohio, with Bella Ranallo leading the Bobcats in points, rebounds and assists simultaneously.

The start of the fourth quarter allowed Ohio to add a small insurance under their lead, points mostly provided by UIC, and capitalized on from the foul line. However, the Flames did not let the lead slip away, keeping the score within about six points or less as the clock wound down.

With 44 seconds remaining, Junior Bailey Tabeling sank a three-pointer, breaking the tie score. UIC immediately responded with an equalizer from Sara Zabrecky. Aliah McWorter charged the paint for  points, spinning off Magdalena Winter, giving the Bobcats the lead with only seconds remaining.

“The last two plays by Aliah were big time play. She showed a lot of patience, she showed a lot of maturity,” head coach Bob Boldon said.

UIC’s Julia Coleman had the opportunity to tie the score as the buzzer rang with a jumper, but missed and left the court devastated.

Bella Ranallo dropped 18 points, with Baile Tabeling right behind her with 17. Tabeling talking about those impressive numbers.

“Hunting shots, we’ve been working on shooting. Helps a lot when my teammates are looking for me,” Tabeling said.

The Bobcats beat the Flames 72-70 and look to start a win streak in their next game against Saint Louis on Dec. 20th.