This season, Ohio duplicated its win total from last season, knocked off a nationally-ranked team and made waves through the Mid-American Conference.
The high hopes resulting from all of that couldn't prevent the Bobcats from exiting the MAC Tournament in the same fashion they did last year.
Ohio was once again unable to slow down a strong shooting performance from Eastern Michigan as the Eagles beat the Bobcats, 79-69, in the quarterfinals of the tournament tonight.
(Eastern Michigan) was very aggressive tonight
forward Domenica Silva said. They were making great shots and we were thinking 'There's no way she's going to make that
' and they did.
The Eagles (16-12) shot 51 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Bobcats, the MAC's best rebounding team, 39-28. Eastern Michigan interim coach Shane Clipfell said dominating the 'Cats on the glass was pivotal for any chances of an Eagles win.
We knew (rebounding) was going to be a big challenge
and we came and stepped up to the plate on that one
Clipfell said. It was a real gritty physical and mental toughness aspect that (the Eagles) brought to the floor that we absolutely had to have.
Ohio (18-12) coach Sylvia Crawley said Eastern Michigan's pace was too much for her team to handle.
I felt like we were a step behind all night
Crawley said.
The two teams exchanged baskets and small runs throughout the first 10 minutes of the game before Eastern Michigan started to slowly take control. Eagles guard Patrice McKinney and forward Sarah VanMetre teamed up on a 7-0 run that pushed a two-point Eagles lead to nine at 26-17.
Trailing by the same margin later in the first half, Ohio got a spark going into the locker room as guard Lauren Kohn banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it a 36-30 game at halftime.
Kohn would go on to score the first nine Bobcat points of the second half to keep the team alive.
I thought that I was making shots
so I found the momentum and got very confident in my shot
said Kohn, who finished with a game-high 25 points. Any time I had the opportunity to drive or shoot
I took it.
The Bobcats would draw within two points on a number of occasions in the second half, but could not tie the game. A layup by Eastern Michigan's Canea Williams with 6:59 remaining extended the Eagles' lead into double digits, and the Bobcats never threatened again.
I thought that we could win this game
Crawley said. Normally
