The all-around balance of the Ohio women's basketball team this season has helped the team play a fast-paced, pressing defense that has caused many headaches for opposing teams. The press has helped the team in forcing 21.6 turnovers per game.
The success of the press was at its peak during last Wednesday's impressive 85-73 victory against Western Michigan, in which the Bobcats forced a season-high 34 turnovers. A season-high 23 steals were also achieved by the team during the game.
Six players are averaging more than 20 minutes per game, and five others are averaging more than 10 minutes per game. Forward Kristian Kirkpatrick leads the team in minutes per game with 24.0 per game; this is the lowest average in the Mid-American Conference for any team leader. This, however, does not seem to bother coach Lynn Bria.
You have to have some depth to do what we do
Bria said. We've got one of the quickest teams we've ever had.
The overall balance and lack of a superstar player may be the reasons why the Bobcats have yet to have a MAC Player of the Week. The Bobcats are the only team in the MAC with a winning conference record that has not had a Player of the Week thus far. That fact does not seem to bother the team at all.
It's almost a compliment to us that we have not had one assistant coach Shanele Stires said. Any one of our starters is capable of having a big night.
Milestones for Isbell
Senior forward Erin Isbell led the Bobcats with seven rebounds in Saturday's loss, increasing her career rebound total to 691. She is only two rebounds away from fourth place and 11 away from third in Bobcat history.
Isbell has affected the team not only with her presence under the glass, but also with her blocking ability. She leads the team with 15 blocks and is currently tied for fourth place on Ohio's all-time list with 43 career blocks.
Bria and Stires have nothing but praise for Isbell.
She's a vital part of the team Bria said. She just does all those things that are important to winning that nobody notices.
She's a warrior
Stires said.
Isbell has remained humble through her recent achievements. She had no idea about her rank in Bobcat history. When informed of her achievements, Isbell was caught off guard.
Really? That's exciting. I'm gonna call my mom
Isbell said.
Underachieving on TV
The Bobcats played on TV for the second and final time this regular season in Saturday's loss to Bowling Green. The game was aired on Fox Sports Ohio and was the MAC Game of the Week.
With Saturday's 26-point loss coupled with a December loss to Ohio State, which aired earlier in the year on Fox Sports Ohio, the Bobcats have not looked their best under the limelight.
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Andrew Gribble
