Fresh off a season-defining win, Ohio travels to Toledo on Wednesday night to strengthen its hold on first place in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats (20-2, 9-2 MAC) have a one-game lead over Miami and Buffalo in the conference regular season title race.
Game Information
Opponent: Toledo (14-7, 6-4 MAC)
Gametime: 7 p.m.
Place: John F. Savage Arena (Toledo, Ohio)
Where to watch: ESPN+
How to listen: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ohio/
Meet the opponent:
Probable starters
33 Nakiah Black
15 Kaayla McIntyre
02 Mikaela Boyd
03 Mariella Santucci
05 Sarah St-Fort
Reserves
1 Sara Rokkanen
23 Tanaya Beacham
25 Jaela Johnson
12 Tatyana Davis
21 Sophia Fortner
14 Ty Handberg-Carlsten
13 Mariah Copeland
Individual stat leaders
Points per game: McIntyre (15.5)
Rebounds per game: McIntyre (7.6)
Steals: Santucci (29)
Field goal percentage: McIntyre (.576)
3-point percentage: Rokkanen (.400)
Free throw percentagez: Black (.741)
Team stats
Points per game: 66.6
Rebounds per game: 38.1
Steals: 6.2
Field goal percentage: 43.5 percent
3-point percentage: 33.3 percent
Free throw percentage: 67.1 percent
Series History
Ohio trails in the all-time series to Toledo 45-25. The last time the two teams faced, the Rockets blew out Ohio 75-57. The Bobcats split the two-game series with Toledo last season, winning the first game in Athens, 78-61. Savage Arena is historically a tough place for Ohio to win at, the Bobcats are 2-2 there, and the Golden Rockets are 8-2 at home this year.
Players to watch out for
For Ohio, watch out for two seniors to step up in a big way. Forwards Dominique Doseck and Olivia Bower can show their maturity in a tough environment. Doseck is one of the best 3-point shooters in the MAC— who often shows up in big games — and Bower is one of the conference’s best shot blockers. Bower sometimes struggles on offense, but Wednesday the Bobcats may need her to have a presence on both ends of the court. Toledo has the best defense in the conference, limiting teams to 59.7 points per game. Ohio’s best scorers should still get their points but if Bower can reach double-digits that will be a big boost for the Bobcats.
While the Rockets aren’t known for putting up a lot of points, they may have the most well-rounded player in the MAC. Senior center Kaayla McIntyre is a top-10 scorer, rebounder and shooter in the conference. Toledo will look to get her switched on to point guards in the paint, but even if they can’t do that there’s nobody on Ohio’s roster that will be able to completely shut her down.
Why is this game important?
Ohio is putting its undefeated away record on the line. It’s a high risk-low reward kind of game. If the Bobcats win, they beat a team who is better than its record suggests. A win will keep the Bobcats at the top of the MAC and will extend their winning streak to four games. An Ohio loss would drop it down in the MAC standings where it will could be jumped by Miami and Buffalo, two teams the Bobcats still have to face again.
