After a tough December, the Bobcats started January on the right path.
Ohio defeated Colgate 74-40 Saturday in the Convo. The win ended a six-game losing streak for the Bobcats - a streak that began with their loss to Syracuse Dec. 6.
Let me just start off by saying this was a must-win game
coach Semeka Randall said. We needed it badly and we needed some confidence before we move into conference.
A key second-half run led to the win for the Bobcats. The game was close for most of the first half and the beginning of the second period, but after Ohio turned up its defensive pressure, Colgate had no chance.
The result was a 34-5 Ohio run to close out the game. At one point during the run, the Bobcat defense held the Raiders scoreless for a 10-minute stretch. The score was 43-37 when it began, but by the time it was over, the game was out of reach for Colgate with Ohio up 62-39.
After Colgate guard Sami Kozlowski hit three straight 3-pointers at the end of the first half, Randall knew the team needed to make some adjustments at halftime. The teams traded baskets at the beginning of the second half, but then the Bobcats shut down the Raiders for the rest of the game.
We just increased ball pressure guard Di'Keisha Mann said. Without their ball handlers being able to get it to their wings it just shuts down their whole offense.
Ohio also got things going on the offensive side after struggling in its previous games. Eleven players scored, with Jenny Poff leading the way with 17 points.
Throughout the season we've been trying to play nine or ten players
Randall said. So it's just giving us some confidence again as we head to conference play.
Poff found her shooting groove, making 5-of-7 field goal attempts. All five field goals were 3-pointers. The guard gave the Bobcats some early momentum with seven points in the first few minutes to put Ohio up 9-2.
When I'm open I just always think it's going down
Poff said. It feels good to get into the flow of things
and once one person starts hitting
everyone else starts going too.
The Bobcats also dominated down low, out-rebounding the Raiders 38-27 and scoring 34 points in the paint.
The win gives Ohio some confidence as they head into conference play. The Bobcats begin their Mid-American Conference schedule on Wednesday at Kent State.
We've just got to keep going with it
and not let down
Poff said. We've had a couple of great practices back-to-back
so we've just got to keep that up and keep the momentum going.
