ATHENS, Ohio - Behind 22 and 21 points, respectively, from Tiffany Byrd and Erin Isbell, the Ohio women's basketball squad recorded a 65-63 victory Tuesday night at the Convocation Center. The Bobcats, who improve to 8-8 in Mid-American Conference action, clinched the seventh overall seed and will play host to Central Michigan in the first round of the league tournament.

The Bobcats (12-15, 8-8), who got out to a quick 4-0 lead, kept pace with Miami through the first eight minutes, getting 10 of their opening 14 points from Isbell (Gahanna). The RedHawks (14-13, 8-8) surged out to an 11 point lead, 27-16, at 5:57 on the heels of a 14-2 run. Byrd (Columbus) would drain two three pointers in the final 1:25 to keep Miami in range, as the RedHawks led 32-26 heading into the locker room.

Isbell finished the first half with a double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds and netting 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and going a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. Miami?s Nicki Motto, who finished the game with 19 points, contributed 10 first half points.

Two free throws from Amanda Jackson to open the second half, would give the RedHawks an eight point cushion, 34-26, at 19:17, but Ohio would chip its way back into the game, cutting the deficit to one on two occasions. The Bobcats jumped out to a seven point lead, 51-44, fueled by a 13-5 run that included two more three-pointers from Byrd.

Ohio saw its lead quickly fade as Jackson hit a three to put the RedHawks back on top, 56-54, with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation. The Bobcats retaliated, outscoring Miami 9-0, to go up by seven, 63-56, at 1:18, but Miami wouldn?t quit, rallying for seven unanswered points to tie the game, 63-63, with less than 30 seconds remaining on the game clock. The Bobcats, who missed the initial go ahead basket, got an offensive rebound and the game-winning bucket from Isbell, as Ohio won its 10th home game of the season.

Byrd, who netted a career-high 22 points, is just one of two MAC players this season to connect on six three-pointers in a game, tying Toledo?s Danielle Bishop. Angel Hornsburger (Columbus) provided a spark off the bench, matching a career-high steals with seven and dishing out a game-high six assists.

Isbell, who recorded her fifth double-double of the season, eclipsed her career-high rebounds by three, pulling down 18 caroms. Isbell?s rebounding effort ties for the most in a game among league players this season. Four different Bobcats recorded blocked shots including Isbell, who with the rejection became Ohio?s all-time shot blocker.

The MAC Tournament field is set, Bowling Green, Kent State and Marshall earn first round byes to Cleveland, with Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Ohio, Miami, Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, Akron and Buffalo filling out the field, respectively. As the seven seed, the Bobcats will face No. 10 Central Michigan Saturday, March 5, in first round action. Game time is set for 2 p.m. in The Convo.