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Feb. 2, 2008
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Ohio women's basketball team edged Western Michigan, 94-85, in a blow-for-blow high-scoring battle between the top two teams in the Mid-American Conference East and West Divisions at University Arena. Ohio has now won six straight games and remains atop the East Division standings with a 6-2 conference record (13-8 overall). Western Michigan's six-game winning streak comes to an end with the loss and the Broncos are now 6-2 in the MAC and 8-13 overall.
"I cannot tell you how excited I am about this game," said Ohio Head Coach Sylvia Crawley. "Today we were able to overcome a lot of adversity to win."
The Bobcats once again showed their depth as five players scored in double-figures, including two off the bench. Senior Lauren Kohn (Adrian, Mich.) led the way with a team-high 21 points and eight rebounds, sophomore Jennifer Poff (St. Johns, Mich.) totaled 13 points and five assists and junior Chandra Myers (Sugarcreek, Ohio) had 10 points and four rebounds.
Off the bench, it was the backcourt-backup tandem of sophomore Jennifer Bushby (Gahanna, Ohio) and senior Simone Redd (Warrensville Heights, Ohio) that sparked the Bobcats. Bushby poured in 18 points and knocked down 5-of-7 shots from behind the arc, to go with four assists, while Redd finished with 10 points. Freshman Carolyn Barnett (North Chicago, Ill.) also had a solid game off the bench with a career-high eight points in seven minutes of action, as the Ohio bench outscored Western Michigan's 38 to 17.
"I though our starters played well, but this game came down to our bench being able to come in and step up," explained Crawley. "Jennifer (Bushby) is capable of starting, but I like her and Simone coming off the bench with how much energy they can bring to our team."
Ohio began the second half trailing 46-39, when a 12-3 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Poff gave the Bobcats back the lead at 51-49 and began a back and fourth second half that featured 16 lead changes and seven ties. From the 16:50 mark through the 3:52 mark, neither team held more than a three-point advantage in the second half. It was at the 3:52 mark when Ohio was finally able to gain some distance, as Redd converted a three-point play after being fouled on a made basket, to give the Bobcats an 84-78 advantage. Western Michigan trimmed the lead to four points at 88-84 with 47 seconds remaining, but Ohio made 7-of-7 from the free throw line in the final minute to hold on for the thrilling victory.
Western Michigan held a significant advantage at the free throw line for the game, making 28-of-33 attempts, compared to Ohio's 19-of-26 at the line. The Bobcats made up for it by connecting on 55.9 percent (33-of-59) from the field, including making 18-of-29 from the floor (62.1 percent) and all six of their 3-point attempts in the second half. Western Michigan shot 41.3 percent (26-of-63) for the game and made just 36.7 percent (11-of-30) in the second half.
Ohio's 94 points are the most scored this season by the Bobcats.
The Bobcats trailed 46-39 at the half despite shooting 50 percent (15-of-30) from the floor. Western Michigan used an advantage on the glass and a huge edge at the free throw line to go into the break with the seven-point lead. Western Michigan out-rebounded Ohio 21 to 15 in the half and knocked down 13-of-13 free throws compared to Ohio's six-of-nine at the line.
The Bobcats have a full week to prepare for their next contest as they don't play again until Saturday, Feb. 9, when they face Eastern Michigan at the Convocation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for noon.
