Having finished the regular season with the worst Mid-American Conference record in program history, Ohio is prepared to turn the page heading into the MAC Tournament.
The Bobcats (6-22, 1-15 MAC) fell to Miami 66-61 Wednesday, despite the game being tied with a minute remaining.
Ohio had trailed by eight points with 6:01 remaining, but erased the deficit when junior guard Shavon Robinson made a game-tying layup with a minute to play.
However, senior guard Courtney Osborn responded by knocking down a deep three-pointer on Miami’s next possession, which ended up being the game-winner. She finished with a game-high 21 points, displaying her talents that have made her the second-leading scorer in the MAC.
"I thought we executed well, managed the game well and thought the players were focused,” Ohio coach Semeka Randall said. “The difference in this game was (Miami's) go-to player, Courtney Osborn, stepped up and made a big-time shot like a possible player of the year."
Osborn, alongside junior guard Hannah Robertson, led the RedHawks throughout the game. The duo combined for 35 points, while senior forward Kirsten Olowinski added eight points and 15 rebounds.
Miami dominated the glass from the start by grabbing the first eight boards of the game and out-rebounded Ohio 38-29 in the game.
The RedHawks had control of the game early, leading by as many as nine points in the first half, but the Bobcats trimmed the deficit before the break to just one point.
In the second half, both teams traded baskets until Miami was able to once again jump out to an eight-point lead that Ohio would eventually erase again.
Wednesday marked the final time senior guards Ashley Fowler and Symone Lyles and senior forward Tina Fisher would play in Athens. They combined for 16 points and 12 rebounds.
“I want to give credit to the three seniors in their last game,” Randall said. “I thought they left everything they had out on the floor.”
Randall, who is in the fifth and final year of her contract, might have coached her final game in The Convo. She has complied 50-102 record at the helm of the Bobcats.
However, the Bobcats still have at least one game remaining. Ohio will turnaround to play Miami again Saturday in the opening round of the MAC Tournament, when the Bobcats travel to Oxford.
"We'll have our team mentally ready to go, because we know how important this game is,” Randall said. “How we prep is going to be very important.”
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