Since clamping down against Eastern Michigan, the Bobcats have procured a level of stingy only known to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
They had the good fortune of facing the Mid-American Conference's two best offenses in consecutive games, and held each to under 60 points. The second of those opponents, Central Michigan, was averaging 74 points per game and utilized a bat-out-of-hell pace.
An increased amount of defensive intensity and timely scoring kept the Bobcats in those games, but it wasn't until Saturday's win over Ball State that they fully displayed the ability to close out a close game.
Ohio (6-15, 2-6 MAC) is in Kalamazoo, Mich., tonight to face perhaps its most beatable conference foe to date.
The Broncos (5-16, 0-8 MAC) have not won a MAC game this season, and tonight marks just their eighth home game. Not only have they fallen on hard times offensively (just 51 points average in the MAC), they are one of the league's worst defensive squads, yielding nearly 67 points per game.
Part of the solution for Ohio rests in the hands of guards Jennifer Bushby and Jenny Poff, who combined for 37 points against the Cardinals.
Both have accelerated their games of late, and have shown the ability to will the team out of a funk in games.
I think right now we're confident in ourselves
Bushby said. Yeah we've had some close losses that got us down.
But we're excited to go to Western Michigan. It's a struggling team, but we know we have to play well to come back with a win.
For Bushby in particular her knack for hitting clutch shots has returned. Her running jumper in the waning seconds against Akron ignited a 27-second defensive stand to end the game. She also hit three 3-pointers in the final seven minutes to keep Ohio in a thriller with the Eagles last week.
Even when she hasn't been her usual self
either Poff (who was 4-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first half with Eastern) or the rejuvenated post players have lent support.
Kamille Buckner
the Bobcats' rebounding and blocking wizard
was a key part of the 40-29 rebound margin they held Saturday.
My teammates expect me to take shots and make shots, Bushby said. When they see me doing it, they get excited for me.
When they don't see me doing that, it makes them want to step up and do the same thing.
And
beginning tonight
it will require a collective effort to get back in the MAC picture.
With just two wins in eight conference games
the Bobcats now have to start winning those close road games that felled them weeks ago.
We have to go on the road and get a few wins, Bushby said. If we can steal some games, we can get right back in this race before the tournament.",",2,Sports,Rob Mixer,30454a.jpg,Ohio guard Jennifer Bushby puts up a shot during the Bobcats' 62-59 win over Ball State Saturday at the Convo. The Bobcats travel to Western Michigan tomorrow and play Toledo at home Saturday. (Mike Henry Jr. | PICTURE EDITOR),",",",","
30454,2010-02-03 02:14:00,Women's Basketball: Bobcats trying to become road warriors,Since clamping down against Eastern Michigan
the Bobcats have procured a level of stingy only known to the Pittsburgh Pirates.,Since clamping down against Eastern Michigan
the Bobcats have procured a level of stingy only known to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
They had the good fortune of facing the Mid-American Conference's two best offenses in consecutive games
