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ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio women's basketball team faced Marietta in an exhibition Wednesday night in the Convocation Center. Ohio defeated Marietta 92-62. 

"I was really impressed with how well they handled situations. We didn't we didn't handle the press for a while. We didn't let that consume us. We didn't play very good third quarter, and we didn't let that consume us. Which I was I was really impressed with that, given the experience that we have," head coach Bob Boldon said. "I thought they know themselves very well and gotten themselves kind of going in the right direction again, the energy in the first second and fourth quarters, I thought were really good. That's a good sign."

The Bobcats got off to a slow start in the first quarter and they hit a scoring drought four minutes in. However, they soon got off to an 8-0 run on two 3-pointers by junior guard Kate Dennis (Rockford, Ill.) and a layup by redshirt junior guard Madi Mace (Parkersburg, W. Va.). 

Ohio gained the lead in the first quarter and never let go. It dominated Marietta in the paint 38 to 26. Freshman Monica Williams (Indianapolis, Ind.) led the Bobcats with 17 points after she went 5-for-12 from the field and 7-for-10 at the line. Williams also tacked on three steals. 

"I just didn't get in my head or really play like a freshman so that was really the biggest (takeaway for me). I was a little nervous, but I didn't show it," WIlliams said. 

Other newcomers to make a statement were junior guard Kennedi Watkins (Balwin, Mo.) and freshman guard Laylay Fantroy (Palestine, Texas). Watkins collected 16 points for Ohio along with seven rebounds and two steals. Fantroy pitched in on rebounds with 11 of her own and three assists. 

The Bobcats were quick on defense. They scored 33 points off of forced turnovers and sifted the Pioneers into a scoring drought near the end of the third quarter. The Pioneers ended the game with 29 turnovers. 

"I was really pleased with the first second and fourth quarter defensively. I think I think part of the third quarter was my crowd. We stayed in the locker room too long," Boldon said. "We just felt sluggish. I don't know that I gave them enough time to get themselves ready to play the third quarter." 

Ohio finished 27-for-59 from the field as a team. Its best shooting was at the free throw line, where it went 30-for-40. Overall, Ohio collected 41 rebounds and 15 assists Wednesday evening.

"I think it was super important for like our team just to feed off of each other and like, the energy on our team really transfers and we are always thinking we're all locked in and like we see really good results. So I think just getting everybody on the same page and getting the energy flowing. really makes a difference for our team and it'd be a good asset for us down the line." 

Ohio will be back in action on Nov. 11 to start its season against Appalachian State in Boone, N.C. 

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