Lauren Hmiel's second career double-double and Ohio's stellar defense broke Millett Hall's spell over the Bobcats.
Ohio won in Oxford 66-53 for the first time since 1998 yesterday.
The win was also a bit of revenge for the players, Hmiel said. Miami topped Ohio in the Mid-American Conference championship last year to snag a spot in the NCAA tournament.
They stole what we should have had
said Hmiel, who finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds. We wanted to win so bad.
For coach Semeka Randall, yesterday was more about her team coming together entering the second half of the season.
I never try to get caught up in the past said the first-year coach.
Instead, she focused her team on defense and rebounding. Both served the Bobcats well against Miami.
The Red Hawks shot an abysmal 29 percent from the field, and Ohio out-rebounded them 51 to 32. The Bobcats never even trailed.
Our defense has been there for us all year she said. Ohio's opponents are shooting 38 percent on average from the field. It's warming to know our kids can go out and contain those players.
Our kids are believing and they see it.
Hmiel agreed that the mentality in the locker room is changing because Randall has proven the old mantra that defense really does win games.
(Randall's) been defensive-minded all year, Hmiel said. We've realized how far it can take us.
That defense allowed Ohio's still-developing offense to take its time to build a lead.
The Bobcats never went on any big runs
but Hmiel and the post players dropped a steady stream of baskets.
Ohio outscored Miami
42-22
in the paint. Forward Kamille Buckner and center Chandra Myers scored 10 and seven points
respectively.
Guard Jennifer Bushby scored 13 points and added nine assists compared to just three turnovers.
Ohio still lost the turnover battle
20-11
but Randall seemed encouraged by how her team took care of the ball.
The 1 p.m. start yesterday was unusual
but Randall hoped it would adjust her players for the postseason.
You can use this when you get closer to the MAC tournament, she said. We got turned around and were ready to play today.
,",2,Sports,Dylan Scott,26697a.jpg,Ohio center Thia Gholson goes to the basket in the second half of the Bobcats
beating them in Oxford for the first time since 1998.,",",",","
26697,2009-01-22 02:09:00,Women's Basketball: Bobcats overcome 11-year struggle in Oxford,Ohio beat Miami
