CLEVELAND ' Quintana Ward knew what she needed to do and she wasn't about to let an opportunity slip away.
In the second overtime period of the semi-final game against Bowling Green, Ward had a little bit of sunlight and lofted the ball over her head and right into the basket to send her team to the championship for the first time since 1986 with a win 68-66.
I'm a senior on this team and I wanted to take it upon myself to do whatever I needed to do to get a win
Ward said. Whether I was playing defense or scoring buckets I was going to do whatever I needed to do...we knew it in our hearts that we could beat them.
Coach Sylvia Crawley said her team was drained by the end of the second overtime but mental toughness helped them pull it together.
Late in the game (Ward) was deliriously tired and I was struggling with whether or not to take her out Crawley said. I needed her to suck it up.
The end of the second half looked like it might be a trip down memory lane for Ohio, who did not beat Bowling Green in either of their regular season match-ups. The Falcons held a lead until a free throw by Ward put both teams at 52 and sent the game into overtime.
I just kept telling myself not to get down Ward said. I think that really just kept me going.
Bowling Green took charge of the first overtime period and scored six points in one minute and 17 seconds. Ohio fought back, however, and sent the game to the second overtime, 59-59. Crawley said that the bench players played a big part in the comeback.
Normally our team would just be back on our heels while the other team is on their toes coming at us
Crawley said. I thought our bench did a very good job of getting in the huddle and making our team excited that we had another chance in overtime...I thought we came out of the huddles in overtime recharged and reenergized.
The second overtime was a shootout between the Bobcats and Falcons, but Ward's lay-up was the dagger that ended Bowling Green's season. Seven rebounds, of a total 60 in the game, kept the ball in Ohio's hands, a tactic Ohio's high scorer and the Player of the Game Jenny Poff said was a tactic coming in.
One of our keys for the victory was to box out
Poff said. When it counted we came up with some big boards.
Crawley said it came down to big stops.
I'm exhausted
Bowling Green is a great team
Crawley said. Before the game Kurt (Miller) and I shook hands and said let's have fun.
Miller and the Falcons have made it to the championship game every season since 2003.
It just wasn't meant to be tonight
Miller said. When the ball got stuck in (Ward's) hands late the four of us coaches just hung our heads.
The MAC can tell you what they want but it's just not the same kind of tournament without (Bowling Green), they can go cheer with their thirty fans from the other schools.
Quick Stats
Ohio 68
Bowling Green 66Friday at Quicken Loans Arena in ClevelandScoring Leaders:(Ohio) Quintana Ward
16(BGSU) Lauren Prochaska
15Rebounding Leaders:(Ohio) Jenny Poff
