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KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Playing their fourth game in seven days, Ohio started hot from beyond the arc, but yielded to an even more efficient shooting performance by Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 29). 15 three-pointers by the Broncos (11-5, 5-2) helped secure the 74-64 victory over the Bobcats (11-6, 5-3) inside University Arena. 
 
"We got off to a great start today," said head coach Bob Boldon. "We just didn't have the energy to sustain it. As we move forward, we need to continue to grow at both ends of the floor. We had a good week, and came up short of having a great week. It'll be nice to get back home and get back to work."

Cece Hooks led the Ohio offense with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while also swiping a season-high seven steals. Erica Johnson scored 19 points, including a 5 for 11 performance from three-point land. 
 
Madi Mace started the scoring for the Bobcats, knocking down a three-pointer on Ohio's first possession of the contest. After giving up a pair of layups to the Broncos, the Bobcats went on a 7-0 run in less than 90 seconds to take a 10-4 lead with 6:23 remaining in the first quarter. Hooks led an active Ohio defense during the run, grabbing two steals. The Bobcats got hot from beyond the arc, scoring their final 15 points of the frame courtesy of the deep ball. Johnson led the barrage, going a perfect 3 for 3 from distance in the first quarter, and was the first Ohio player to score in double-figures with 11 points. The Bobcats shot 52.9% (9 for 17) overall in the first frame, including 70% (7 for 10) from three, to take a 27-16 lead after the first 10 minutes of play. 
 
It was Western Michigan's turn to get hot from beyond the arc in the second quarter, starting the frame by going 3 for 5 from three-point territory to trim Ohio's lead to two points, 27-25. Hooks started Ohio's scoring in the second quarter with four straight points, and upped her steal total to five in the first half. The Broncos were able to keep it close though, relying on the three-pointer, similar to Ohio in the first frame. Western Michigan's only made field goals in the second quarter were from deep, shooting 6 for 11 overall, and going 6 for 10 from beyond the arc. The strong shooting performance narrowed Ohio's advantage to only five points at the halftime break, 41-36. 
 
Ohio finished the first half having shot 46.4% (13 for 28) overall from the field, highlighted by a 50% shooting performance (8 for 16) from three and a perfect 7 for 7 from the charity stripe. The Bobcats' defense forced 10 first-half turnovers, turning those takeaways into 10 points on the offensive end. 
 
Ohio was held scoreless through the first 3:24 of play in the second half, before a Yaya Felder layup evened the score at 42 points apiece. The Broncos stayed hot from deep though, connecting on two of their first three attempts from beyond the arc, helping give Western Michigan a 47-45 lead at the third quarter media timeout. Hooks capped off her fourth double-double in five games at the 4:38 mark with her 10th rebound of the contest. A free throw by Mace with just under two seconds remaining in the frame cut Ohio's deficit to just two points, 53-51, going into the final quarter. 
 
Western Michigan continued to find shooting success at the start of the fourth quarter, leading to an Ohio timeout with the Bobcats trailing by 10, 61-51. The Broncos continued their hot streak from beyond the arc as the quarter continued, with five of their first seven made shots in the frame being from deep, extending Western Michigan's lead to as large as 19 at 72-53 with just over four minutes to play. The Bobcats responded with a 9-0 run to cut into the deficit, making it 72-62 with 1:20 left in the game, but the Broncos had built a large enough cushion to ensure they would hold on for the eventual 74-64 victory. 
 
Up Next: 
 
The Bobcats will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 2, when they welcome Ball State into the Convocation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3. 

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