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[Donovan Varney | WOUB]

Ohio never trailed in its 72-62 victory over Eastern Michigan

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Ohio (5-11) snaps four game losing streak with 72-62 victory over Eastern Michigan (5-11).

Both sides were slow out of the gate, with neither team gaining an edge early.

The Bobcats were without the services of their leading scorer, sophomore guard Jaya McClure who was out due to injury, and her absence was felt in the first 10 minutes.

Ohio built a two point lead, 17-15, at the end of the first quarter. 

Things seem to settle in for the Bobcats to start the second quarter.

Ohio guard Laylay Fantroy (2) shoots a contested layup in Ohio's win against Eastern Michigan.
Ohio guard Laylay Fantroy (2) shoots a contested layup in Ohio’s win against Eastern Michigan. [Conor Mallonn | WOUB]
Ohio found production from a trio of freshmen who stepped up without McClure in the lineup. Bailey Tabeling, Monica Williams, and Laylay Fantroy combined for 40 points in the game and contributed to a huge second quarter for the Bobcats.

“Starting the year it was a little shaky,” Fantroy said. “Everyone was learning to play with each other. … I think now everyone is getting into a groove.”

The Bobcats outscored Eastern Michigan 22-11 in the frame and ran into the locker room up 39-26.

Out of the break, Ohio was sluggish. It doubled its turnover total with seven in the third quarter alone as the Eagles started to creep back into the game.

The Bobcats led by as much as 17, but Eastern Michigan was able to cut the lead all the way down to five in the fourth quarter.

Each time it felt like the Eagles would claw their way back into the game, Ohio found a big shot.

“It’s a matter of belief in what we are doing,” head coach Bob Boldon said. “We just went through the same thing a couple nights ago where we had a lead and we didn’t handle ourselves very well. Today we got big baskets.”

The Bobcats held off the Eagles to pull away for a 72-62 victory.

It’s Ohio’s fifth win of the year and all five have come at the Convo; however, its next opportunity comes on the road at Mount Pleasant against the Central Michigan Chippewas on Jan 24.