Sports

Elli Garnett’s all-out effort propels Ohio Women’s Basketball to rivalry victory

By: Andrew Bowlby
Posted on: Saturday, March 7, 2026

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Ohio Women’s Basketball entered its final regular season game of the 2025-26 season with little official pressure. The Bobcats already had their No. 5 seed in the MAC Tournament locked up and were trying for an upset bid over their rival Miami to end the year.

Ohio’s (17-12, 11-7 MAC) third-quarter run led the Bobcats to a Battle of the Bricks victory over  Miami (25-6, 16-2 MAC).

“What a wonderful way to finish the year. I’m really proud of this group,” Ohio head coach Bob Boldon said. “They’ve continued to grow game-after-game, and you want to play your best basketball heading into the conference tournament. I can confidently say that we’re doing that.”

The Bobcats had just the started they needed in the opening minutes with Elli Garnett scoring the team’s first seven points on a make from deep and a pair of layups.

Miami’s offense had much more trouble getting started. The RedHawks turned the ball over on each of their first three possessions thanks to outstanding pressure by the MAC’s top defense for steals per game.

Ohio was unable to stretch their first quarter lead despite creating a number of good looks. The Bobcats shot 37.5% from the floor and from three in the first 10 minutes holding a 17-14 lead.

The final seconds of the first encapsulated the quarter perfectly as Bella Ranallo forced a turnover and drew a foul earning a trip to the free throw line. Ohio recorded five steals in the opening quarter 13 points off turnovers.

Ranallo and Garnett scored the first two buckets of the second continuing their strong starts and giving the Bobcats a 21-15 lead.

Miami answered with Tamar Singer scoring in transition and Amber Scalia making a pair of attempts from the charity stripe. Ultimately, Ilse de Vries gave the RedHawks their first lead of the game at 25-23 after knocking over Asiah Baxter in what Boldon thought was a clear offensive foul.

Ohio’s offensive feel into a field goal drought that lasted 4:36 of the second quarter. It was finally snapped when Danni Scully created an offensive rebound out to Tabeling who nailed her first triple of the game.

That gave the Bobcats a 31-27 lead. From there, Miami’s leading scorer Amber Tretter made two shots that took the game into halftime. At the break, Ohio led 32-31 and held a slim lead over the MAC’s top team.

The Bobcats drew up a perfect play coming out of halftime with Garnett finding Tabeling on a backdoor cut. The immediate score set the tone for what was to come in the third.

Led by the three-point shooting of Garnett and Gigi Bower, the Bobcats forced a Miami timeout as they went on a 15-0 run and took a 17-point lead.

Garnett’s play specifically during this period was notable in driving the Bobcats. Her scoring shows on the box score, but she made plenty of hustle plays and drew RedHawks fouls that allowed Ohio to build the lead.

“I thought she was awesome, she has always played hard,” Boldon said on Garnett. “From the second she stepped on this campus; she brought that attitude. What Bella and Elli brought to this team was just another level of toughness and hustle, and it’s just what we needed.”

The dynamic Miami offense could only be held down for so long though. Clara Gonzalez Planella caught fire knocking down three-straight triples.

Just as the RedHawks made their push to get back in the game, Tabeling found her shooting stroke and clam Ohio back down. Combined with the Bobcats’ ability to score inside, they were able to stretch the lead back out.

At the end of the third, Ohio took a 13-point lead into the fourth.

The Bobcats did hit an early scoring drought, however, that was ended by another Tabeling here.

Ohio did have some problems with giving the ball away in the fourth turning it over six times. But the Bobcats stayed strong defensively and made enough winning plays to earn the victory. Miami was handed just their second MAC defeat of the regular season.

The victory could not have been without Garnett’s 21 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Ohio’s win also gives the Bobcats momentum heading into the MAC Tournament where they will be the No. 5 seed and face Central Michigan in the first round.

“We’re going to play as hard as we can and trust each other and see how far we can go,” Tabeling said. “I think it just shows us that we can play with anybody.”

The Bobcats first round game will be the second of the day on March 11 and will tipoff on ESPN+ following the Miami vs Kent State game.