It wasn’t the first time this season Ohio had faced multiple defenses. In the first game against High Point, it had a mix of full court presses and zones. UT-Martin did the same.
The difference is UT-Martin was a lot quicker and scrappier. For Ohio though, after a slow start, it managed to get past the Skyhawks in its 72-55 home-opener Friday afternoon in The Convo.
In the beginning of the game, Ohio struggled with UT-Martin's multiple defenses. It started the game in a full court press. Then it countered with a 2-3 zone and 3-2 zone in the half court.
Coach Bob Boldon looked to his starters to start strong. With Quiera Lampkins back in the starting lineup after missing the season-opener with an ankle injury, a solid group of returners had the pressure of getting momentum early.
But the person that really sparked the game for Ohio, wasn’t one of the starters. It was Amani Burke.
“Amani seems to have a knack for putting the ball in the basket,” Boldon said.
Boldon credited Burke’s strong performance to having match up against Lampkins in practice.
“She gets to play against (Lampkins) in practice and tries to guard her and tries to score on her and never back down from her and that a good tool to have,” Boldon said. “Her and (Lampkins) are almost never on the same team in practice.”
Burke, a freshman, finished the game with 13 points, a new career high. In her second game as a Bobcat, she provided crucial minutes for Ohio early.
“I encouraged her to be aggressive,” Boldon said. “She’s a good player and she can score and just limiting her scope to that. Let those other guys worry about everything else; when you catch the ball, be aggressive.”
And she was aggressive.
Ohio couldn’t find a way break the zone. Ohio had a few early turnovers against the press. But once it broke the press and settled into the half court offense, it searched for a way to break the zone. No luck.
Ohio passed the ball around the perimeter, looking for an open shot. In the beginning, it couldn’t find it. Once open shots came, it couldn’t make it.
Then Burke came in. She scored on two of her first three baskets, lighting the spark for Ohio. At the end of the first quarter, Ohio didn’t struggle against any defensive set the Skyhawks used.
After a 16-0 run to close out the first half, Ohio never surrendered its lead.
In addition to Burke’s performance, Lampkins finished the game with a double-double (16 points and 11 rebounds.)
The Bobcats (2-0) have a quick turnaround as they will play Northern Kentucky on Monday night at 7 p.m. in The Convo.
