Despite a second half rally, the Bobcats were unable to close down the stretch and their losing streak has reached eight games after falling to Toledo on Saturday afternoon.
Dating back to 1987, the Rockets have won 21-straight at home against the Bobcats after topping Ohio 62-58.
Once again, fouls caught up with the Bobcats, as the Rockets had 28 attempts from the line and made 21 of them. Ohio made just 8 of 16 attempts, including just four 4 of 11 in the first half.
“I thought our kids played really hard,” coach Bob Boldon said. “I thought this was probably the best collective effort our kids have had in a long, long time. So I was proud of that.”
But some good news came for Ohio (8-15, 3-9 Mid-American Conference) when junior guard Mariah Byard made an appearance early in the first half, which was her first significant playing time since Jan. 9 other than playing 2.5 seconds last Sunday. She led the Bobcats in scoring with 17 points, including five 3-pointers.
Sophomore forward Lexie Baldwin also give the Bobcats a push in the second half and finished with 15 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. Heading into the break, she just had two points.
“I thought Lexie was tremendous for us,” Boldon said. “Her energy level was real high and across the board, I thought our energy level was pretty high.”
Ohio trailed 28-24 at the break, but came back to tie it up at 45, with 8:14 to go. Both teams went back and forth down the stretch but costly turnovers and off the ball fouls continued to hinder the Bobcats.
With 1:01 to play, sophomore guard Ana Capotosto nailed a three to give Toledo a 58-55 lead. An Ohio turnover on the ensuing possession sealed the Bobcats losing streak.
Ohio now will head back to Athens, before hitting the road again next week when it travels to play Western Michigan on Wednesday. The Bobcats won the schools’ first matchup 70-53 on Jan. 12.
gh181212@ohiou.edu
@charliehatch_
