Quire Lampkins reached 1,000 career points and has finally molded into the star Boldon and her teammates knew she had the potential to be.
Quiera Lampkins stepped to the free throw line with two attempts midway through the third quarter against Ball State. She had 998 career points.
"I already knew I was supposed to get it," Lampkins said.
She made both attempts.
"I didn't even realize it until after the game and I was like, 'Oh shoot, I did score my 1,000th point,' " she said.
Lampkins wanted it to be at a home game. Nevertheless, she became the 15th player in Ohio history to reach the accolade.
"I think it's tremendous anytime a player can accomplish that kind of goal," coach Bob Boldon said. "I'm happy to see that she has got there, and I'm happy to see how her game has grown since she has gotten on campus."
Her game has developed to the point that she is no longer just part of the supporting cast: She's a star.
In a team that's statistically led by senior guard Kiyanna Black, Lampkins, a junior forward, has slid into a main role in the program's turnaround.
“(Her turnaround is) what I expected,” Black said. “She could do it last year and the year before. She’s figuring out the game, and it's nice to see her develop.”
During the past two seasons, Lampkins played the guard role. She still does, but she mainly works closer to the basket.
At 5-foot-9, Lampkins doesn’t look at that as a disadvantage. She just doesn’t let her opponents out work her.
Even late in practice Monday when most of her teammates were shooting, Lampkins attacked the rim while assistant coach Tavares Jackson held a practice pad, pushing her away from the post.
Lampkins has one goal: drive to the hoop. She doesn’t look for 3-pointers, though she can hit them if left open.
“She’s really good at getting to the basket and everyone knows that,” Boldon said. “People are trying not to let her do that.
“In the past, that meant if she couldn’t get to the basket, she wouldn’t score. Now she’s developed a three-point shot that she is gaining confidence in.”
Her improved shot and dribble-drive were integral in the Ohio win against Western Michigan on Jan. 2. Her performance in that game gave her a career-high 33 points.
When Black wasn’t having a strong night, it was Lampkins having a career night that proved she could take control.
And that has been the trend all year for Lampkin: performing well when others aren’t.
It hasn’t added pressure, despite handling more responsibilities this season.
"I feel like (Boldon) relies on me to get the ball where it needs to be," Lampkins said.
Offense isn’t the only aspect of Lampkins' game that has grown since joining Boldon’s squad in 2013-14.
She has also become a defensive threat to opponents. Lampkins is second behind Black in steals with 44 this season, averaging two per game.
She said Boldon also has focused on improving her on-ball defense. He wanted her to become better at stopping the drive and getting in the passing lane and intercepting the ball.
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Lampkins has grown into the player that Boldon always has seen she has had the potential to be.
In all aspects of the game, she has helped relieve pressure on Boldon and Black.
Lampkins is starting to receive the recognition she deserves.
This season she's already been nominated Mid-American Conference East Player of the Week twice.
If she continues to play up to her potential, she could be a candidate for conference player of the year.
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