One shot stood between the Ohio women's basketball team and its first victory against Ball State in six years.
Trailing 73-70 with less than four seconds remaining, the Bobcats (6-7 overall, 0-2 Mid-American Conference) got the shot they wanted - a three-point attempt by guard Andrea Gay - only to see both the ball and a tie bounce off the back of the rim.
It was a good shot
coach Lynn Bria said. We just have to keep shooting.
Ohio shot 40 percent from the floor - 45 percent during the second half - and hit eight 3-pointers. Ball State (8-7, 3-1 MAC), among the conference's top shooting teams, shot 47 percent.
The difference in the game, though, lied in the number of free throws each team attempted. Ball State hit 17-of-21 from the line, while Ohio was only 2-for-6.
When they get to the free- throw line it certainly helps them Bria said. I can't complain. I can't say we deserved more or less (free throw attempts).
Despite not getting to the line as often as the Cardinals, the Bobcats played a close game - neither team led by more than eight points - in large part behind the efforts of forwards Andrea Johnson and Erin Isbell.
Johnson scored a team-high 18 points and hit four three-pointers, while Isbell notched her third double-double of the season with season highs of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
I've been working a lot on going left and just finishing at the basket
Isbell said. I haven't been doing too well with that this season. What I need to do is just keep practicing and getting reps.
Ohio also played well defensively, forcing 18 Cardinals turnovers and holding the MAC's leading scorer, Kate Endress, to 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.
The execution by Ohio on Kate Endress was unbelievable
Ball State coach Tracy Roller said. They were physical with her and just did a really good job with her.
The Bobcats get another shot at their first conference win when they play Northern Illinois 3 p.m. Saturday in DeKalb, Ill.Hed
17
Archives
Matt LaWell
200401141062midsize.jpg
Ohio University forward Latreece Bagley protects the basketball from Ball State forward Raechelle Hampton, (13), during the OU v. Ball State women's basketball game on Tuesday night in The Convo.
