When Lauren Hmiel and Chandra Myers step onto the floor tomorrow, they'll be wearing Ohio jerseys at home for the last time.
Myers won't play because of a knee injury, but Hmiel will look to lead the Bobcats to a regular-season sweep in the Battle of the Bricks at The Convo.
Ohio topped Miami, 66-53, on Jan. 21 in Oxford.
A win and a Kent State loss would move Ohio into sole possession of second place in the Mid-American Conference East Division. The drive to win bleeds through Hmiel's every word when she talks about her last game as a Bobcat.
I want to get the win so badly
she said. This is my last home game ... forever.
It's a feeling that coach Semeka Randall understands well, having left Tennessee in 2001 after capturing a national championship.
They've done so much Randall said of Hmiel and Myers. I know what it feels like leaving home.
Hmiel has been the team's anchor for the entire season. She leads the team with 15.2 points per game and averages 5.7 rebounds a contest.
Myers went down after 17 games, but she contributed significantly as Ohio developed during the early stretches of the season. The Bobcats have missed her 7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game - not to mention the presence she brings in the paint.
Tracy Snider said she understands the importance of winning for the seniors.
We've got to play as hard as we can she said. Send them out on a good
note.
But even if the players stress the rivalry, Randall said she doesn't see the need.
I look at every game as a rivalry game
she said. We haven't proven ourselves yet.
The Bobcats already made the trip to Oxford and emerged with a win, but Randall said that game has little bearing on tomorrow's showdown.
After losing five of six following that first win over Miami, Ohio is on a three-game winning streak - its longest of the season. They are fresh off a win over Kent State, who just beat Miami Sunday.
Miami entered its first meeting with Ohio having won three of four. But after the rivalry loss on their home court, they haven't looked the same. The RedHawks come to Athens on a four-game losing streak.
They're a different basketball team
Randall said. We're completely different.
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Dylan Scott
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