The holiday season wasn't very merry to the Bobcats.
Ohio lost in several different ways during a recent six-game losing skid, which ended with a win Saturday against Colgate.
The Bobcats were overmatched in games against bigger programs like Syracuse, Florida and Temple. They also couldn't pull out victories in close contests with Duquesne, Clemson and UNC-Wilmington.
Needless to say, coach Semeka Randall was happy to get the win at home this weekend.
I'm really proud of this group today for pushing through
Randall said after the victory. It's been a tough six or seven games in terms of us being in all types of game scenarios.
Randall said that the team's biggest problems during the streak were free throws and turnovers. She liked the improvement the Bobcats showed in the turnover aspect of the game, with Ohio giving the ball up only 14 times.
Poff Providing the Spark
The consistent play of guard Jenny Poff has been a positive for Randall to this point.
The senior currently leads the team with 11.8 points per game and is 29 of 75 from beyond the arc (38.4 percent). Poff is second on the team with 25 assists.
Poff was also named MAC East's Player of the Week on Dec. 21 after strong outings against UNC-Wilmington and Clemson. She averaged 17 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists during the stretch.
Randall said that Poff and fellow senior Jennifer Bushby will be essential if the Bobcats are going to be successful this season. The coach believes Poff has taken the right shots when she has had chances to score.
Right now Poff is playing with a great deal of confidence Randall said. She's been able to do this for the last few games we've had
and it's given us momentum.
D Playing Tough
Defensive basketball has been a constant so far in the young season.
Ohio ranks second in the conference in scoring defense, only giving up 59.1 points per game. The team also ranks second in field goal scoring defense, holding opponents to 37.9 percent from the field.
During a 34-5 run in the second half, the Raiders didn't score for a 10 minute period.
But problems on the offensive side remain. The Bobcats' offense ranks dead last in the MAC, averaging just 56.2 points per game.
Our defense will always have to be there for us
Randall said. I told our group that we're going to have to win ugly
and really the way it starts is on the defensive end.
wf743006@ohiou.edu
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Sports
Will Frasure
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