Forward Erin Isbell was the spark that ignited the flame in the Ohio women's basketball team's biggest win of the season when she scored 10 of her 13 points in less than a minute.
With 6:52 left in the first half and the Bobcats trailing the Akron Zips by five, the team was looking for someone to step up, Isbell answered.
The senior forward put in one lay-up after an assist from guard Andrea Johnson then hit another after a defensive rebound by Johnson. With a miss by guard Simone Redd, Isbell pulled down the offensive board and put it in.
But Isbell wasn't quite finished. Without letting the Zips reach half court, she managed a steal under the Bobcats' basket for another lay-up and was given the opportunity for one more shot after a steal and assist by guard Quintana Ward.
I got a lot of chances to steal the ball because I was guarding the person out-of-bounds
Isbell said. The ball kept coming to me because I was right there under the basket and I was getting good looks from my teammates.
After Isbell's scouring spurt, the team was able to move into the lead at 28-25. The Bobcats would lose that lead only momentarily going into halftime before they snatched it back and ended their three-game losing streak with a 70-56 win against Akron.
For the second straight game, Isbell picked up a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. She also contributed six steals.
Guard Tiffany Byrd also had a dominant showing for the Bobcats making the most of her nine minutes of play, hitting four 3-pointers and leading Ohio in scoring with 15 points.
It has always been my job to shoot from the outside Byrd said. If I don't do what is expected of me then I will be on the bench.
During the first half, the lead changed twice when the Zips (3-21 overall, 3-10 Mid-American Conference) hit three shots behind the arc, but Isbell's performance moments later ended Akron's lead. The Zips remained close and regained the lead at the half, 33-32.
The second half had the Bobcats (10-13, 6-6 MAC) coming out of the gate ready with six straight points that gave them the lead, 39-32. The Bobcats kept the ball rolling as they extended their lead to as many as 22 and ended with a 70-56 victory.
The second half we moved the ball and hit some shots coach Lynn Bria said. We still try to force the ball into the paint when it isn't there and we need to be more patient when it isn't there.
Ohio will be back in action in its second consecutive home game at 2 p.m. Saturday against Northern Illinois in The Convo.
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Abbey Smith
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The Ohio women's basketball team lines the court inside The Convo. Across the country, athletes and fans paying respects to the United States before games by listening to the national anthem has been a tradition for years.
