Ohio (4-3 overall) welcomed the University of Illinois Chicago Flames to The Convo for a tight battle Friday night, where every second counted. Despite shooting 46% in three-point range and 43% from the field, the UIC offense was bested by Ohio’s. The Bobcats shot 32% in the three-point range and 39% from the field.
Ohio only had 18 turnovers compared to UIC’s 22 turnovers. However, the Bobcats could only grab 38 rebounds, 13 offensively and 25 defensively, while the Flames had 41, with 11 offensively and 30 defensively.
Asiah Baxter started off the first quarter for Ohio with a huge three-point jumper assisted by guard Bella Ranallo just nine seconds into the game.
UIC picked up the rebound to turn the ball back over to the Bobcats, earning Baxter a steal. After going back and forth with missed shots, the Flames tied the game with a three by Sara Zabrecky. They continued on a scoring run and led the Bobcats 10-3 before Ranallo added a layup. This run pushed the Bobcats into a one-point lead over the Flames, just to be forced into a tie due to a foul by Ranallo. However, Ohio prevailed for the first quarter with a 16-13 lead.
The second quarter started with a three-point jumper by guard Bailey Tabeling, quickly answered by another three-pointer by Zabrecky. The Bobcats’ offense started to heat up, outscoring UIC 13-3 over two minutes and 58 seconds, leading to a Bobcat lead of 32-21.
They then went straight into a scoring drought for almost five minutes, just adding one more three-pointer before the end of the quarter. UIC added seven more points, and the second quarter ended with a 35-28 score and a Bobcat lead.
Despite going into the second half with the lead, the Ohio offense slowed down. After being able to add four by Ranallo, they let the Flames’ offense fight their way back to eventually take a 47-46 lead. The third quarter was packed with offense on both sides, and Ohio could finally take the lead back and end the quarter with a tight 56-54 lead.
The fourth quarter started with two steals by the Bobcat defense, but only one point, off a Danni Scully free throw, was to show for it.
When UIC could finally hold on to the ball, they made two three-point jumpers and a layup, flipping the score to 62-59 and grabbing the lead. Baxter grabbed a free throw before the Flames pushed the score to 66-60. Aliah McWhorter took initiative and added a layup and a free throw before Tabeling could give the Bobcats three more points and a 67-66 lead, with just two minutes and 56 seconds remaining.
Ranallo fouled Zabrecky, allowing for a free throw point and a tie game. Tabeling then scored another three-pointer to take the lead back. However, Zabrecky fought back with another three, tying the game again, but McWhorter’s layup with just two seconds to go gave the Bobcats their fourth win this season. The Flames could only make one of seven field goal attempts at the end of the game.
The Bobcats' offense came alive in the second half, scoring 37 points, despite the Flames scoring 42 points. Both teams kept the game close in the second half and had fans on both sides on the edges of their seats.
Ranallo led with 18 points, seven rebounds, three offensively and four defensively, and six assists. Samantha Serrano led the Flames with 18 points, eight rebounds, only one coming offensively, and four assists.
The Bobcats head back on the road to Radford, Virginia, to face the Radford Highlanders next Saturday at 2 p.m.
