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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio women's basketball team (2-0) defeated a ranked opponent for the first time in program history after taking down No. 22 Notre Dame (0-1), 86-85, at the Convocation Center on Friday afternoon.
"This team never seems to be overwhelmed by the moment," head coach Bob Boldon said. "Today was no exception. We don't get seven or eight chances to beat a top-25 team, we get one or two. I am proud of them for seizing that moment."
Notre Dame took a 77-70 lead with 6:03 left in the game. Ohio stormed back to take the lead on an 8-0 run to go up 78-77 with 4:47 left. ND and OU traded buckets before senior guard Cece Hooks (Dayton, Ohio) gave Ohio the advantage with 52 seconds left. Hooks extended the lead with a free throw with 18 seconds left. ND hit two free throws down the stretch but lost, 86-85.
Hooks (Dayton, Ohio) led the way with 32 points on 10-of-23 shooting while going 2-of-5 from the three-point line. Hooks added eight rebounds, including three on the offensive end and two assists. Hooks has now scored 30 or more points in six games in her career.
"It was a good win for us," Hooks said. "We ground it out. We didn't give up, even when we went down. I am so proud of the team for that."
"I thought she did a great job of getting to the rim," Boldon added on Hooks. "We drew a play up for her to get a layup to take the lead. She executed, scored and hit some free throws. She was fantastic for us."
Redshirt junior guard Erica Johnson (Mansfield, Ohio) had 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting and 4-of-7 from the three-point line. Johnson chipped in five assists and four rebounds.
"It was a great win," Johnson said. "It's exciting to know we can compete with these types of teams. No matter the number, we can compete. It felt good. To see the young players do what I know they can do was great. It was a good feeling to see them do that on the court."
Johnson and Hooks combined for 56 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
Senior forward Gabby Burris (Baltimore, Ohio) had 11 points and five rebounds while making one three-pointer.
Redshirt freshman guard Madi Mace (Parkersburg, W. Va.) and sophomore guard Peyton Guice (Westerville, Ohio) each had six points. Mace hit one three and was 2-of-3 from the field.
Ohio was 29-of-63 (46.0 percent) from the field and 9-of-21 (42.9 percent) from the three-point line. The Bobcats went 19-of-25 (76.0 percent) from the free-throw line. Notre Dame was 28-of-58 (48.3 percent) from the floor and 8-of-20 (40.0 percent) from deep. ND went 21-of-24 from the charity stripe.
Ohio had 10 assists as a team. Johnson had five assists while Hooks had two. Redshirt junior guard Caitlyn Kroll (Bridgeport, Ohio), Guice and redshirt junior guard Kaylee Bambule (Chicago, Ill.) each had one assist.
The Bobcats forced 18 turnovers and had six steals. Johnson and redshirt junior guard Jasmine Hale (Cincinnati, Ohio) had two swipes each. The Bobcats had 23 points off of turnovers while ND had 10.
Both Ohio and Notre Dame each had 36 points in the paint. Ohio had 11 second-chance points compared to the Fighting Irish's 12.
The Bobcats had a 23-17 lead after the first quarter and extended their lead to 41-30 at halftime. Hooks had 15 points at the half while Johnson had 12. Hooks was 5-of-11 from the field and had six boards.
Notre Dame outscored Ohio 55-45 in the second half. Hooks pitched in 17 points in the second half while Johnson had 12. Ohio was 14-of-32 (43.8 percent) from the field and 4-of-12 (33.3 percent) from the three-point line.
The Bobcats will continue the season and open Mid-American Conference play at Kent State on Dec. 5. A tip-time will be announced at a later date.
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