Striking a balance between scoring and defending has been like mixing vodka and anything. It's usually not a happy ending.
Generally regarded as one of the Mid-American Conference's premier defensive clubs, the Bobcats (7-20, 3-11 MAC) have been hit-or-miss at times and appear to get caught up in scoring when they fall behind.
When they adhere to their style and turn mistakes into points, they are a fairly productive group. But as soon as the opposition stakes itself to a sizable margin, Ohio's scorers begin forcing shots before it is necessary.
Hence, the proceedings tend to escalate quickly.
Jennifer Bushby called Tuesday's performance against Miami the most complete outing of the season. Judging by the final margin (13 points), it is a point difficult to argue.
(Tuesday) was the first time that we were able to put the two together late in the game
Bushby said. It comes down to us wanting to do it.
Even though the Bobcats walked off the floor with their third MAC win of the season, they managed to make a double-digit late-game lead seem pedestrian. They gave the ball away, committed untimely fouls and gave Miami's players reason to stay interested.
With this team things are going to be sloppy said forward Kamille Buckner. We're not a perfect team. When we go through things like that
we have to play out of it.
We have to be able to contain how bad it is.
Of course, it would be easy to point to their abysmal free-throw percentage (55 percent), but as coach Semeka Randall pointed out, everyone knows that the charity-stripe isn't exactly Ohio's forte.
And that horse has already been beaten to mutilation.
Based off player and coaching staff reaction, the win over the RedHawks was not like previous wins, which felt like relief rather than satisfaction.
Now in the midst of a four-game stretch to end the regular season, the Bobcats are presented with a chance not only to gather steam before the conference tournament, but grab a stronger seeding.
Tomorrow, they face Buffalo, a team that has endured a similarly tough season. The Bulls are ranked second in the MAC in rebounding offense, averaging nearly 42 rebounds per game.
Ohio is fourth in rebounding defense, and its post players (namely Buckner, Thia Gholson and Tina Fisher) will have their hands full.
The Bobcats are developing the ability to shut down top players, and Courtney Osborn is the latest example. She gave Ohio fits all game and scored 16 points from all over the floor.
Osborn had six points on Tuesday and fouled out as the RedHawks dissipated.
We were able to switch up from our man (defense) to the zone
and we caused them a lot of problems
Randall said. Our ball pressure was tremendous.
It hasn't been pretty, but everyone is doing their job.
,",2,Sports,Rob Mixer,30813a.jpg,",",",",","
30812,2010-02-26 00:59:00,Post Letter: Street fests prove students require boundaries,My thoughts on The Post's editorial from yesterday:,My thoughts on The Post's editorial from yesterday:
- Yes
Athens probably would like it if everyone on Mill Street left. Why? Because the place is an eyesore. Ramshackle houses with poorly maintained yards. Trash
mostly red party cups and empty beer cases
strewn across the yards and streets. And the reason why that's upsetting to residents is not just because it's ugly and makes for a somewhat frightening environment
but also because we have trash ordinances. The students' disregard for them indicates that they don't care about or respect the city and its laws
which makes year-round residents disinclined to treat us like citizens (which
