FOLLOW OHIO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

AKRON, Ohio – Facing a five point deficit with less than three minutes to play, Ohio (14-10, 8-7) went on a 10-0 run to help secure a 69-66 victory over Akron (13-9, 10-6) on Monday evening (Feb. 21). Cece Hooks poured in 28 points, including 22 in the second half, and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the team, while Gabby Burris was the other player in double figures with 11 total points, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. And with the game tied late in the fourth quarter, Erica Johnson hit a clutch three-pointer with just over a minute remaining to give Ohio a lead they would never relinquish. 

"I was really proud of the way we stayed in the game," said head coach Bob Boldon after the game. "We overcame a poor shooting performance at the start of the game and had some players hit some clutch shots. We were too passive against the 1-3-1 early, but we had more success once we started attacking it off the dribble and then making the extra pass. We stepped up and made the shots when we needed them."
 
Ohio's offense took a few minutes to get up to speed, scoring only three points in the first six minutes of action. Kaylee Bambule put the first points on the board for the Bobcats, knocking down a corner three-pointer shortly before the media timeout. After Akron opened up their largest lead of 9 at 14-5, the Ohio offense erupted for an 9-0 run to tie the game at 14 with just under 2 minutes to play in the first quarter. The score stayed the same heading into the second quarter.  
 
Madi Mace converted on two driving layups to start the second frame, giving Ohio their first lead of the game, 18-16 with just under eight minutes left to play in the half. Hooks put in a layup to put Ohio up 23-20, a score that stayed the same going into the media timeout. Both defenses made their presence felt for the remainder of the half, as the two teams only combined to score six points. The Bobcats went into the locker room with the slight lead, 25-24. 
 
Mace and Hooks led the scoring effort in the first half, with six points apiece. Johnson was the strongest on the boards, grabbing six rebounds in the first 20 minutes. 
 
Hooks reached double digits first for the Bobcats, hitting two free throws, giving her 10 points on the afternoon, and tying the game at 35 with 6:14 left in the frame. Ohio offense stayed hot through the remainder of the quarter, shooting 60% from beyond the arc and 46.7% overall the field, to finish the quarter trailing by only two points, 49-47. 
 
After a Bambule three-pointer to start the fourth, Hooks converted the next two baskets for the Bobcats, forcing an Akron timeout with 6:33 remaining and Ohio leading by one, 54-53. The point guard continued her dominance on offense, extending her streak to nine consecutive points for the Bobcats and giving Ohio a 59-55 lead. Akron responded with a 9-0 run to take a five-point lead with just over three minutes to play in the game. Burris responded out of a Boldon timeout by connection on a three-pointer, making it a one possession game, and Hooks laid it in on the next trip down the floor to tie the contest at 64. 
 
Another defensive stop set up Ohio's offense with a chance to take the lead with less than a minute to play, and Johnson connected on a deep three-pointer to give the Bobcats a 67-64 advantage. Akron was presented with one final chance to tie the game with 18 seconds remaining, but a steal by Mace and two free throws by Burris secured the 69-64 victory. 
 
Overall, the Bobcats shot 40.6% (26 for 64) from the field, including 53.3% (8 for 15) in the final quarter. Ohio's defense held Akron to below their season average on shots from beyond the arc, forcing a sub-30% outing from three (7 for 24) by the Zips. As a team, the Bobcats outrebounded Akron, 41-38.
 
Up Next:
 
Ohio will wrap up their three-game road trip on Wednesday evening, Feb. 23, when the Bobcats take on Buffalo. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m., and will be broadcast on ESPN3. 
 
#OUohyeah