After Monday's 69-54 victory against Akron, the Ohio women's basketball team's postgame celebration ended before it began.
Tonight the Bobcats host Miami, the Mid-American Conference's hottest team, only two nights after their last conference tussle.
If that is not enough, tonight's matchup kicks off a three-game stretch versus the cream of the crop in the MAC.
The RedHawks (16-6, 10-1 MAC) enter tonight's game with only one blemish to their conference record. From there, Ohio (10-12, 4-7 MAC) will face off with Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan, who are tied atop the West Division at 9-3.
Still, Ohio coach Lynn Bria said the Bobcats cannot look ahead.
We don't have time to think about this Akron game; we're on to Miami right now
Bria said. I think we have to take one at a time. We can't think about three. We have to think about Miami and that's all we can think about.
Despite falling to the RedHawks by 12, Ohio hung around with Miami for much of the first meeting. The RedHawks led by a bucket at the break, then ripped the game open down the stretch.
We played right with them in the first half and definitely had a chance to beat them Ohio forward Lindsay Wight said. I think we beat ourselves more than they beat us. I think just putting two halves together against them is very key.
The lack of time to prepare may take a toll on Ohio's stamina, but Bria said it should not mar the team's preparation.
Hot may be an understatement. Scorching may be more appropriate. Miami has reeled off eight wins in a row and has come out on top in ten of its last 11 games. The RedHawks feature the conference's most explosive offense, averaging barely less than 77 points per game.
The rivals meet tonight in The Convo. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
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T.J. Lasita
