Semeka Randall has delved deep into her bench recently.
Sophomore guard Allie LaForce and freshman guard Tracy Snider have found themselves getting a few more minutes in the last two games.
Most of (the younger players) are starting to wake up and take ownership of this team
Randall said. (They are) trying to help give back to the seniors as a whole.
The minutes have come at crucial junctures of the games.
LaForce played the final four minutes of last Saturday's loss to Central Michigan. The Bobcats were down 15 points when LaForce entered the game, but Ohio made a run soon after.
The run cut Central Michigan's lead to eight with 2:23 remaining. Randall opted to leave her in the game.
Allie LaForce gives me everything she's got everyday in practice she said. It was more of an appreciation from my standpoint that I don't ignore what she does on the floor.
In Wednesday's game, Snider was on the floor for three of the final five minutes. She came on the floor with the Bobcats up seven points.
She's a steady player Randall said.
The Bobcats will need the bench when they visit Toledo Sunday.
The Rockets are 7-1 at home this season and 3-0 in the Mid-American Conference.
Ohio is only 5-6 on the road, but is 2-1 in conference road games.
Randall understands the tough test ahead of her team.
(Toledo) has been playing with an attitude
Randall said. They play with a passion. You really have to go in there ready
to battle for 40 minutes or whatever it takes.
For Jenny Poff and Ohio's other 3-point shooters, this will be a tough matchup.
Toledo has the second best 3-point field goal defense in the MAC. The Rockets hold their opponents to 29.3 percent from beyond the arc.
The Bobcats' frontcourt will also face the one of the youngest groups of guards in the conference. Toledo starts a freshman, a sophomore and a junior.
The age shows.
Naama Shafir, the freshman, is averaging 5.8 turnovers.
Ohio, though, is tied for last in the MAC in forcing turnovers.
It should be a fun battle
Randall said.
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Sports
Matt Wagner
