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LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The Ohio women's basketball team returned to action for their second game of the season on Saturday night (Nov. 13). In a physical matchup, Ohio (0-2) took on the Liberty Flames (2-0) inside Liberty Arena, falling to the Flames by a score of 66-63 in a game that came down to the final possession. The Bobcats were led by seniors Cece Hooks and Gabby Burris, who contributed 21 and 16 points respectively. On the defensive end of the floor, Hooks finished one rebound shy of her first double-double of the season, ending the game with nine rebounds alongside five steals and two blocks. 

The first 20 minutes of action saw neither team able to take control of the contest, with Ohio's largest lead being three points and Liberty's largest lead only six points. The first quarter was the highest scoring frame of the game, as the two teams combined for 39 points as Liberty took a 21-18 lead into the second quarter. The two teams matched each other, as they both scored 12 points. The Bobcats headed into the halftime break trailing by only 3 points, 33-30.

In the first half, Ohio shot 40% from the field (12 for 30), including 31.3% from deep (5 for 16). The Bobcats defense held the Flames to just 33% shooting from the field (13 for 39) and only 21.4% from beyond the arc (3 for 14), but 12 offensive rebounds for Liberty led to 11 second-chance points and helped Liberty take a slim lead into second half.

In the third quarter, Liberty was able to build a lead as large as eight points, but Ohio stayed within striking distance courtesy of Hooks and Burris, who scored 11 of Ohio's 13 points in the frame. Hooks flashed her defensive skills in the third quarter as well, swiping three steals. Entering the final quarter of play, the Bobcats faced a 51-43 deficit. In the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, the Flames extended their lead to double digits at 56-46 with 8:05 left in the contest.

The Bobcats responded with a 10-2 run spanning 2:59 of game time, trimming the Flames' lead to just 58-56 with 5:06 left to play. As the game clock ticked closer to under a minute, the two teams traded short scoring runs, culminating with Ohio making it a one-point game, 63-62, with 1:10 remaining. Defensive efforts from both teams limited the scoring in the final minute, as both Ohio and Liberty only scored via free throws for the remainder of the night, with Liberty securing the victory, 66-63.

Ohio finished the game having shot 37.7% from the field (23 for 61), and 23.3% from three (7 for 30). The Bobcats defense forced 21 turnovers, and scored 14 points off of those takeaways. 

Up Next:

Ohio will wrap up their season-opening road trip on Tuesday, Nov. 16, when the Bobcats travel to take on Cincinnati inside Fifth Third Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

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