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ATHENS, OH.– The Ohio women's basketball team (2-13, 0-4 MAC) will return home after a tough away battle against Northern. The Bobcats will play the Western Michigan Broncos (7-8, 2-2 MAC) at the Convocation Center this Wednesday (Jan. 18th) and are looking to win their first MAC contest of the year. Tipoff is set for 7 pm and can be streamed on ESPN+.
MID AMERICAN CONFERENCE PLAY
The Ohio Bobcats have now played four conference games this season and have fallen to: Akron, Kent State, Buffalo and Northern Illinois. The Western Michigan Broncos have also played four, going 2 and 2. The Broncos have defeated Northern Illinois and Central Michigan, but have fallen to Ball State and Toledo. Both the Bobcats and the Broncos have faced strong competition and are seeking a MAC win.
ALL-TIME SERIES
In the recorded history of these two programs, the Bobcats have faced off against Western Michigan a total of 65 times. The current all-time series stands with Ohio in front with 35 victories and the Broncos not far behind with 30.
LAST TIME OUT
The two MAC teams recently faced one another in early February of 2022. The matchup was held in Athens at the Convocation Center, where the Bobcats fell 73-80 to the Broncos. This was the second time in the 2021-22 season that Ohio saw Western Michigan, losing in both contests by 10 points or less. In the February matchup, Ohio was led by retired Erica Johnson with 23 points, followed by Madi Mace with 17 points and Yaya Felder with 16. The game went back and forth, switching off leads, but ultimately the Broncos ended victorious with R-So Lauren Ross collecting 37 points.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan most recently defeated Northern Illinois (79-70) and Central Michigan (71-60), and were led by Lauren Ross in both contests. Lauren Ross totaled 20 points against Central Michigan and 31 against Northern Illinois proving to be a consistent powerhouse for the Broncos offense. In terms of rebounding, Taylor Williams led with 15 total against NIU and 10 against Central Michigan. Williams rebounds are mostly defensive, but she is still active on offense with 23 points against NIU and 14 against Central. Another player to watch for is Maddie Watters who collected 5 assists in the last two contests.
BRONCOS NON-CONFERENCE SEASON
The Broncos started the 2022-23 season with 3 tough losses to Loyola Chicago (51-60), Michigan State (49-97), and Michigan (67-99). Getting settled into the new season they went on to defeat Youngstown State (62-54), and Grace Christian University (102-41), before traveling to Colorado. The trip to Colorado proved to be difficult for the Broncos falling to CU Boulder (37-75), and Colorado State (65-85). The Broncos came back to win their next three games against; Valparaiso (68-62), Indiana State (77-67), and Chicago State (101-73). Western Michigan finished out their non-conference play at Notre Dame where they fell 57-85.
LEADING BRONCOS
The Broncos have an impressive offensive team, with several leaders. At the top of the scoring board is Lauren Ross with a total of 324 points, averaging 21.6 a game. Ross is followed by Taylor Williams with 206 accumulated season points, averaging 14.7 a game. Williams also leads on defense with 83 defensive rebounds and 29 blocks. Hannah Spitzley is also key on the Broncos defense holding 28 steals and 45 defensive rebounds.
OHIO'S MOST RECENT STATS
The Bobcats ended their last game going 26 for 54 (48.1%) on field goal attempts, 8-23 (34.8%) from the three point line and seeing the line 8 times going 6 for 8 (75.0%) in free throws. The Bobcats also grabbed 24 rebounds, had 13 steals, and 17 assists.
LAST TO LEAD
In the Bobcats last contest on Saturday the 14th, they faced Northern Illinois where Yaya Felder led Ohio once more in scoring. Felder snagged 23 points and behind her was Caitlyn Kroll and Jasmine Hale with 13 points apiece. In terms of defense, Kate Dennis had 2 blocks and 3 steals, followed by Yaya with 1 block and 5 steals. Abby Garnett, Jasmine Hale, and Caitlyn Kroll led in rebounds, all grabbing 4 each.
NOW LEADING OHIO
Overall, the Ohio Bobcats have been led by Yaya Felder in scoring for the majority of this season. Felder currently holds the lead in total points for the Bobcats with 281 points. Caitlyn Kroll follows Felder in scoring with 136 points, then Jaya McClure and Abby Garnet are tied with 110 points each. Caitlyn Kroll leads Ohio in rebounds, totaling 81; 71 defensive rebounds and 10 offensive. In terms of steals Yaya holds 36 for the season and Kroll is behind with 30.
MATCHUP NOTES
- Ohio strives to earn their first MAC win of the season
- The Bobcats seek their first home win of the season
- Both teams have already faced NIU, Ohio coming out behind and the Broncos winning
- Lauren Ross led in scoring for Western Michigan in both matchups against Ohio last season
- Both teams had hard non-conferences, Ohio facing a Big Ten team and WMU facing a Power 5
Up Next:
After Wednesdays' matchup (1/18), the Ohio women's basketball team will get on the road to play Miami of Ohio in Oxford. The battle of the bricks will be on Saturday January 21st at 1 pm and can be streamed live on ESPN3.
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