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ATHENS, OH.– The Ohio women's basketball team (3-16, 1-7 MAC) returned home to the Convocation Center on Saturday afternoon to play the Ball State Cardinals (17-4, 7-1 MAC). It was an intense battle between the two Mid-American Conference schools, but the Bobcats ultimately fell to the Cardinals, 78-58. Ohio was led in scoring by sophomore Yaya Felder (Hartford, Conn.) with 19 points and sophomore guard Kate Dennis (Rockford, Ill.) with 12 points. The Bobcats had a combined 36 rebounds, which were led by redshirt senior Caitlyn Kroll (Bridgeport, Ohio) with nine.

From the jump, the Cardinals challenged the Bobcats' defense, but Ohio took the initial 5-0 lead with a two point jumper from Kroll, followed by a three pointer from Dennis. The three pointers continued in minute six from Felder and Kroll, testing the Cardinals' defense. Felder also held strong in the paint, going 3-of-4 on driving layups. Leading scorers on offense in the first quarter were Felder with eight points and Kroll with five points. On defense, Kroll led the Bobcats with a total of six rebounds in the first quarter; one offensive and five defensive. Collectively, Ohio had 12 rebounds and four assists, putting the Bobcats down 25-16 going into the second quarter. 

The Bobcats entered the second quarter with an energized offense led by Felder, who scored a driving second-chance layup in the paint followed by a three pointer that was assisted by redshirt junior Abby Garnett (Golden, Colo.) off an opponent turnover. Felder led Ohio with seven points in the quarter followed by freshman Jaya McClure (Louisville, Ky.) with five points and Dennis and Garnett with three apiece. On the defensive side, redshirt junior guard Jasmine Hale (Cincinnati, Ohio) led with five rebounds out of Ohio's 10 for the second quarter. Going into the locker room, the Bobcats are down by 10 against Ball State 44-34. 

Coming out of the locker room, the Bobcats opened the third quarter with a strong offense led by Dennis, who registered two three-point jumpers. Other offensive plays of the quarter included two driving layups off of opponent turnovers, with Felder and McClure having one apiece. The Bobcats entered the final ten minutes of the game trailing 66-49. The fourth quarter was highlighted by sophomore Ella Pope (Orem, Utah), who had a defensive block and two steals. Felder continued her strong offensive performance with an assist to Garnett for a layup. The Bobcats closed the fourth quarter with two free throws by freshman Cassidy Lafler (Dublin, Ohio) but were unable to catch the Ball State Cardinals, falling 78-58.

Up Next:
The Ohio Bobcats will hit the road to Ypsilanti, Mich. to play the Eastern Michigan Eagles. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be available to stream on ESPN3/+. 
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