Jenny Poff was visibly frustrated following Ohio's 72-65 loss to Central Michigan at The Convo on Saturday.
It was the team's third loss in four games.
Ohio trailed by 10 just five minutes in. With five minutes left, the Chippewas held a 17-point advantage, 69-52, their largest of the game.
Whenever the Bobcats crept close - they cut the lead to two with a 10-1 run to start the second half - Central Michigan trapped Ohio's ball handlers and forced quick turnovers to stifle the comeback.
Poff, for her part, said she saw it coming after a mediocre week of practice.
We'd just go through the motions
she said. We weren't completely focused.
Coach Semeka Randall threw up her hands trying to explain Ohio's lack of motivation, but she said the change had to come from the locker room.
There's no way we should be playing like this she said. No one's taking control of this team. I'm doing everything I can.
Poff put on one of her best performances of the year in an effort to energize the Bobcats. She hit 4-of-9 shots from beyond the arc and finished with 20 points.
But even moving into sixth all-time in 3-pointers made didn't soften the bitterness of Saturday's loss for the junior.
They came out attacking Poff said. We just didn't respond.
We've got to have leadership on the floor.
Brandie Baker led that Chippewa attack
driving to the basket on one possession and pulling up from the 3-point line the next. She posted 20 points
eight rebounds and five assists.
I felt like I could drive wherever I wanted, Baker said.
Even when the Bobcats slowed down Baker and her teammates
they couldn't take care of the ball long enough to sustain a rally.
Ohio committed 25 turnovers
three above its average
and panicked when Central Michigan switched to its trap defense.
The Bobcats lost the ball on three consecutive possessions after cutting the deficit to two and trailed by 10 before they got across half court again.
Turnovers have been a theme in Ohio's 7-12 season
and Randall admitted she's at a loss on how to remedy her team's chronic problem.
They've got to commit, she said. We got burned today.
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26876,2009-02-02 00:28:00,Women's basketball: Turnovers costly again for Ohio in 3rd straight loss,Ohio had 25 turnovers in its 72-65 loss to Central Michigan on Saturday in The Convo.,Jenny Poff was visibly frustrated following Ohio's 72-65 loss to Central Michigan at The Convo on Saturday.
It was the team's third loss in four games.
Ohio trailed by 10 just five minutes in. With five minutes left
the Chippewas held a 17-point advantage
69-52
