Sports

Tabeling’s career-high 33 points leads Ohio Women’s Basketball to MAC quarterfinal win

By: Grant Kiefer
Posted on: Wednesday, March 11, 2026

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CLEVELAND (WOUB) — Back in the MAC Tournament for the first time in two years, Ohio rides into Cleveland hot and with potential to catch lightning in a bottle. That started with outlasting Central Michigan 89-88 in a back-and-forth quarterfinal that could go down as one of the most chaotic finishes of the 2026 MAC Tournament.

The Bobcats came out of the gate like a team determined to make a statement. Ohio led 15-13 with 5:02 left in the first, firing on all cylinders offensively while forcing Central Michigan to answer on nearly every possession.

Bailey Tabeling and Elli Garnett did much of the early heavy lifting, combining for nine of Ohio’s first points, while CMU’s Ayanna Sarai Darrington scored the Chippewas’ first eight. MAC Player of the Year Madi Morson was quiet to begin, with her only shot attempt coming well into the quarter.

Ohio did not miss a beat. By the end of the first quarter, the Bobcats were up 27-20, shooting 10-15 from the field and 5-7 from beyond the arc. Tabeling led the charge with 11 first-quarter points, showcasing the same hot hand she brought into this tournament. The sophomore hit multiple triples, finished drives, and paced Ohio’s balanced start.

As the second quarter unfolded, Ohio preserved a lead while Central Michigan chipped away. Morson finally got on the scoreboard with a pair of free throws after a Rere Jennings technical, giving the Chippewas a jolt. Still, Ohio led 32-26 with 7:12 to play before halftime, even as Garnett dealt with an upper left leg wrap and a stint on the bench.

Central Michigan’s late run before the break changed the dynamic. The Chippewas closed the half strong and trailed just 48-44 at intermission. Both teams had been efficient. Ohio shot 54.4 percent from the floor and 53.3 percent from three in the first half, while CMU was not far behind in accuracy and kept the Bobcats from pulling away.

The third quarter was tight, but Ohio entered the fourth up 70-68, thanks in part to a scoring outburst from Tabeling. She reached 26 points by the end of the period, already passing her previous career-high set at Akron this season. Morson and Darrington combined for 32 of CMU’s points, refusing to let the Bobcats build a comfortable separation.

In the early minutes of the fourth, everything that could go cold for Ohio did. The Bobcats missed 13-14 field goals and opened the quarter 0-10, yet still clung to life. Central Michigan took a 76-73 lead with 4:06 to play, and it looked like the momentum may have finally shifted.

But this game had one more dramatic swing left.

On back-to-back possessions, Ohio flipped the script. Antonicia Moultrie hit a massive three to give Ohio an 81 78 lead. Morson responded to knot the game, and then Garnett, back on the floor, powered in a running layup to reclaim the edge for the Bobcats.

In the final minute, Ohio held on with helpful late defensive stands and clutch free throws. When the horn sounded, Tabeling’s career-high 33 points were the difference, a new career high.

“Bailey got us started,” head coach Bob Boldon said. “She made some shots. She kind of opened things up for other people. And then when people got their chance, they shot it. We’ve shared the ball well all year. We had 20 assists tonight, and they shot it with confidence.”

Up next is a familiar foe for Ohio, and a recent one at that. The Bobcats will get another shot at Miami (OH) after upsetting the MAC’s top seed in Athens last week. Tip-off bright and early, set for 10 a.m. on Friday, and can be seen on ESPN+.