Much to the pleasure of coach Bob Boldon, history wasn’t repeated as the Bobcats snapped a season-long 10-game losing streak on Thursday.
Ohio trampled Buffalo 83-71 in The Convo, and is now 8-1 when it scores at least 70 points. A loss would’ve meant the second consecutive season with 11-straight losses in Mid-American Conference play, which is the longest losing streak in program history.
When the teams last met on Feb. 6, Boldon said it was one of the “ugliest” basketball games he’s ever witnessed, but Thursday was a different story.
“I thought both teams executed a lot better,” Boldon said. “Obviously, more points were scored, which makes it look better. I thought the energy and effort was better from both teams today and we won, so that was better.”
For the first time this season, the Bobcats had two players record score 20 points. Freshman guard Quiera Lampkins finished with 27 points, including 17-of-21 from the free throw line, which is a school record for attempts. Junior guard Mariah Byard added 21 points, after making five of six attempts from behind the arc.
“Just to win and play hard for 40 minutes feels good,” Lampkins said with a smile. “I was kinda nervous because the last few games I haven’t shot well from the free throw line. To be 17 of 21 is good, I guess.”
The Bobcats cruised into the locker room, thanks to their 32 of 43 shooting from the free throw line, though their last made field goal came with 7:08 left to play.
Ohio jumped out on a 7-0 run to begin the game and maintained the lead throughout the contest, despite a couple hiccups from small runs by the Bulls, who led for just thirty seconds.
A potential roadblock smashed into the Bobcats midway through the first half, when sophomore guard Kiyanna Black dove to the court for a loose ball and landed awkwardly on her left shoulder. Ice was kept on her injury and Boldon said the guard would see the doctor Friday morning.
“This is a team that doesn’t have a lot of experience leading by double figures,” Boldon said. “We’ve blown leads, so for us to sustain a couple runs, make free throws down the stretch and get some stops when we needed to, … I thought it showed a lot of maturity.”
Ohio will next travel to Bowling Green (24-3) on Saturday. The Falcons are tied with Central Michigan for the top spot in the MAC, which could come down to a coin flip to decide the No. 1 seed in the MAC Tournament.
“It feels good for kids who are in the losing streak who are battling. … It gave some validity to what we do,” Boldon said. “So it’s nice to see it come together for kids who are working hard.”
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