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ATHENS, Ohio—The Ohio women's basketball team (6-4, 0-1 MAC) returned to action for the first time in three weeks when they opened MAC play against Northern Illinois (4-7, 1-0 MAC) Saturday afternoon inside the Convocation Center. The Bobcats were hot on the Huskies' heels each quarter, but were unable to take the lead, falling 71-68. Overall, the Bobcats shot 35 percent from the field (25-72) with senior Cece Hooks (Dayton, Ohio) leading the team with 24 points scored.

"I thought the effort was there. Obviously, the results weren't what we'd hoped. The third quarter defense put us in a hole. Then our shooting throughout the night didn't didn't really help us at any at any point and we just couldn't quite get over the hump," said head coach Bob Boldon. "They did a nice job hanging in there, mentally, just sticking with it and giving ourselves a chance. I thought we did a good job of giving ourselves a chance repeatedly. And then we got those chances and just didn't do enough with them."
 
Ohio shot 28 percent from the field (5-18) while Northern Illinois shot 36 percent (7-19) in the first quarter, leaving Ohio trailing 19-11 heading into the second quarter. Redshirt freshman guard Madi Mace (Parkersburg, W. Va.) led the Bobcats in the first 10 minutes, scoring five of Ohio's 11 points, including one three-point shot. 
 
Hooks took charge in the second quarter, scoring eight of the Bobcats' 16 points of the frame. Senior forward Gabby Burris (Baltimore, Ohio) chipped in an additional five points while redshirt sophomore guard Kendall Hale (Cincinnati, Ohio) sunk one three-pointer. With the first half in the books, Ohio trailed 31-27.
 
Ohio sunk 39 percent from the field (7-18) in the third quarter. Hooks led the way, scoring another eight points for the 'Cats. The Bobcats went on a 9-0 run in the last 44 seconds, highlighted by redshirt junior guard Kaylee Bambule's (Plainfield, Ill.) first three-pointer of the night with just two seconds remaining in the quarter.
 
The Bobcats entered the final 10 minutes trailing Northern Illinois 52-47, shooting 47 percent from the field (8-17) in the fourth quarter. Burris took charge, scoring nine points and sinking three of six attempted three-point shots. With five seconds remaining in the game, Bambule hit a three-point shot, putting the 'Cats behind by one point. Unable to take the lead, with the Bobcats falling 71-68.
 
Up Next 
The Bobcats continue conference play on Saturday, January 15, traveling to Mount Pleasant, Michigan to take on Central Michigan. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
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