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MIAMI, Fla. -- In the final non-conference game of the season, the Ohio women's basketball team took to the court for their second game in the FIU Holiday Hoops showdown. Ohio (6-3) found success against Binghamton (4-6), with the Bobcats defeating the Bearcats 76-67 on Tuesday (Dec. 21). Redshirt-freshman Madi Mace recorded a new career high with 17 points, while Cece Hooks led the team overall in scoring with 20 points. 

Ohio and Binghamton both shot 40% from the field (6 for 15) in the first quarter, but the Bobcats' defense helped give Ohio a 17-15 lead going into the second quarter, courtesy of nine Bearcat turnovers leading to 11 points for Ohio. Mace was the leading scorer for the Bobcats through the first 10 minutes, putting up 10 points on a perfect shooting performance consisting of 3 for 3 from the field and 4 for 4 from the free throw line.

Johnson took charge for Ohio in the second period, scoring 12 of the Bobcats 23 points of the frame. Burris chipped in seven of her 10 first-half points, with Hooks and Yaya Felder contributing two points apiece to round out the Bobcats scoring in the frame. With the first half in the books, Ohio took a 40-35 lead into halftime. 

Coming out of the break, Ohio seized control of the contest, out-scoring the Bearcats 20-11 in the 3rd quarter. Spearheaded by Hooks' eight points in the frame, the Bobcats were able to take a double-digit advantage into the final quarter with the score sitting at 60-46. 

During the 4th quarter, Mace set her new career high of 17 points, nailing a three-pointer with just under four minutes remaining to surpass the 16 point career-high she had set just six days ago in Ohio's game against Minnesota. A late surge by the Bearcats in the fourth quarter narrowed the deficit to as low as six points, but the cushion that the Bobcats had built throughout the 2nd half allowed the Ohio defense to hold on for the 76-67 victory.

Ohio finished the game having shot 38.2% from the field (26 for 68) and 21.9% from beyond the arc (7 for 32). The defensive effort from the Bobcats forced 26 turnovers, including 14 steals, which Ohio's offense turned into 27 points.

Up Next:

Ohio now turns their attention to the Mid-American Conference and conference play, having won six of their final seven non-conference contests. Picked as preseason MAC favorites, the Bobcats will open conference competition on the road against in-state rival Miami on Wednesday, Dec. 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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