The Ohio women's basketball team ran into a familiar foe yesterday in The Convo.
Themselves.
The youthful Bobcat squad played like its age in its first Mid-American Conference matchup of the season, turning the ball over 30 times in an 83-73 loss to Kent State.
To win the game
you need to keep control of the ball coach Lynn Bria said. We just coughed up the ball way too much.
Guard Simone Redd said the team needs to stay calm when facing a tough, pressure defense like Kent State's.
I think it's just mental Redd said. We need to take better control of the ball and not rush and throw the ball away when defenders pressure us.
The majority of the Bobcats' turnovers came in the first half when they gave up the basketball 21 times.
Sharp shooting, however, kept the Bobcats within striking distance. Ohio made 12-of-19 shots from the field, including six three-pointer baskets that had the Bobcats down by six at the half, 43-37.
Thank God we were shooting the ball so well in the first half
or it would have been a blowout
Bria said. It's always disappointing when you shoot so well
but you're turning the ball over.
Turnovers would not be an issue for the Bobcats in the second half, but poor shooting would lead to the team's demise. After shooting 63 percent in the first half, the Bobcats were only able to net 26 percent of their shots in the deciding half.
The Bobcats would not go down without a fight, though.
After being down by double-digits for the majority of the second half, the Bobcats put a scare into the Golden Flashes with a 7-0 run that would close the lead to six points with 1:05 remaining in the contest.
Two free throws made by Kent State guard Rachel Bennett with 47 seconds left to play put Kent State up by 8 points and put to rest any thoughts of a Bobcat comeback all but out of reach so late in the game.
Bria said that she was pleased with the team's effort throughout the contest.
I thought overall our effort was outstanding
Bria said. I have no complaints about our effort. We out-rebounded them and we had a lot of deflections on defense.
Ohio got a very strong performance out of its front court in the loss.
Making her first start of her career, Domenica Silva netted a career-high 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Ciara Iglehart also would put up a career high in points with 19, 14 of which would come from the foul line.
Iglehart said there was no coincidence for her strong performance at the free-throw line; she's been practicing.
I've been working on my free throws
so I was actually planning on taking a lot today
Iglehart said.
Redd added 14 points, and guard Rachel Frederick had 11 points and nine rebounds in the Bobcat loss.
Kent State's Bennett would lead all scorers with 23 points.
The Bobcats will be back in action Wednesday when rival Miami comes to The Convo.
Tip off is slated for 7 p.m.
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