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ATHENS, Ohio – After holding the lead for a majority of the game, the Ohio women's basketball team fell in a heartbreaker against MAC-leaders Toledo on Wednesday night (Feb. 16). The Bobcats (12-10, 6-7) lost to the Rockets (20-4, 14-1), 76-73. Ohio was led on offense by Cece Hooks, who finished with a team high in points (25) and rebounds (8). Gabby Burris finished with 18 points, and Madi Mace joined the duo in double figures by scoring 12. 

"They're by far and away the best team in the league," said head coach Bob Boldon after the game. "They've got plenty of good players. ... they're going to make shots and they did that. ... We had a lot of kids play really well, and as a team we played really well in the first half. It's just frustrating that we weren't able to do the same thing the second half."
 
Ohio got off to a quick start on offense, scoring the first five points of the game courtesy of a Hooks layup and a Kaylee Bambule step back three-pointer. Later on in the quarter, Burris connected on back-to-back shots from deep to help Ohio take a 15-10 lead into the media timeout. The Bobcats were able to trade baskets with Toledo as the clock ticked towards zero, and a three-pointer by Erica Johnson at the end of the frame gave Ohio a 20-14 advantage after 10 minutes of play. 
 
The Bobcats built a lead as large as 10 points within the first two minutes of the second quarter, including a Burris three-point play off a no-look backdoor assist from Johnson. Ohio's defense held Toledo without a field goal for three minutes of play, helping the Bobcats establish a 33-20 lead at the media timeout. The offensive effort was spearheaded by success from beyond the arc in the first five minutes of the quarter, including consecutive three-pointers by Felder. Ohio built up a lead as large as 17 with 3:02 left in the half, after two made free throws by Hooks made it 40-23. An 8-2 run by the Rockets to end the half sent the two teams into the lockers room with the score sitting at 42-31. 
 
In the first half, the Bobcats were led Burris and Hooks with 16 and 12 points respectively. Ohio shot 44.8% from the field (13 for 29), including 40% from deep (8 for 20). The Bobcats defense held Toledo to just 15.4% shooting (2 for 13) from deep to help establish the lead. 
 
Toledo started the second half by continuing their run, making it a 16-4 push spanning the halftime break and cutting Ohio's lead to 44-39. The two teams traded scores for the next several minutes, before the media timeout came with 3:58 to play in the quarter and Ohio holding a 52-44 lead. An offensive surge from deep by the Rockets helped Toledo finish the quarter on a 14-5 run to take a 60-58 lead into the final 10 minutes of play. 
 
The Rockets established a lead as large as seven, 68-61, with 6:00 left in the game. Ohio responded however, closing the gap to within one possession at 68-66 after two Burris free throws coming out of the media timeout. Mace sank two free throws on Ohio's next possession to tie the contest at 68, before the Rockets reclaimed the lead on their next trip down the floor to make it a 71-68 game with 4 minutes to play. Toledo held Ohio at arms length for the remainder of the game, with Ohio cutting the deficit to one point multiple times but never able to draw even. The Rockets iced the game at the free throw line to leave with the 76-73 win.

Up Next:

Ohio will hit the road for a three-game road trip, starting on Saturday, Feb. 19 at Bowling Green. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

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