If there were any thoughts that a one-week layoff between games would interrupt Ohio's momentum from two straight wins, an 11-0 run by the Bobcats to start Saturday's contest against Central Michigan silenced them all.
With two field goals from forward Domenica Silva and 3-pointers from guards Lauren Kohn and Rachel Frederick, Ohio established early dominance before defeating the Chippewas, 69-65.
All week long we have been saying to our players that their record was not an indicator of their team
coach Sylvia Crawley said of Central Michigan. They are a very good team; they're scrappy and they fight to the end.
The Bobcats seemed to forget that, relaxing a bit after their first run and easing up on the boards, allowing Central Michigan (9-13, 1-8 Mid-American Conference) to come back and take the lead with 2:17 left before halftime.
Chippewa guard Candace Wilson did most of the damage, accounting for 10 of the last 12 points her team scored in taking a 35-33 advantage into the half.
Coach Crawley came up to me at halftime and told me that as a leader ' I needed to pick it up on the glass said Frederick, who scored her 700th career point in the game. I didn't worry about the points
but rebounding is something that I can control.
Early in the second half, the Chippewas took their largest lead, 49-39, with Silva and reserve forward Chandra Myers both in foul trouble.
But guard Quintana Ward took a charge, nailed a 3-pointer and made a lay-up through traffic to draw a foul.
Ward missed the free throw, but Frederick got the offensive rebound, paving the way for a 3-point play after a Kohn jumper and foul on the shot.
Offensive rebounds
you get 30 more seconds to set up the offense and get a good look again
and that really helps a lot
Frederick said.
The five-point possession gave momentum back to the 'Cats (12-9, 5-4 MAC), who made the next two buckets to regain the lead, 57-56, with 7:37 remaining.
They left me open on the left wing
and I took the open shots
said Ward, who led all scorers and tied a career high with 16 points.
The teams then traded baskets until Ward hit another field goal, and Silva quickly stole the ball from Central Michigan and found Ward, who made the lay-up and also had key assists, steals and rebounds in the game.
I think she just basically tried to take the team on her shoulders
which is ironic because she's the smallest player on the team
Crawley said of the 5-foot-3-inch guard. She made some mistakes defensively in the beginning of the game
