ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio women's basketball team (1-1, 0-0 MAC) continues its non-conference schedule with a road game at Morehead State (1-3, 0-0 OVC) on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
 
SCOUTING MOREHEAD STATE
Morehead State currently has a 1-4 overall record. The Eagles' offensive is led by senior Veronica Charles who has totaled 54 points, a 34.0 FG%, 30.8 3PT% and 87.5 FT%. Morehead State's top-rebounder is sophomore Blessing King; King is currently averaging 7.8 rebounds per game and has a total of 31 on the season. The Eagles seem to find success with their free throw opportunities. The team has gone 42 for 65 from the line, recording a 64.6 FT%. Morehead State is currently out-rebounding its opponents with 40.5 rebounds per game.
 
On Saturday, Nov. 18, the Eagles earned their first win over the season as they defeated Midway (Ky.) 103-51 in their home opener.
 
SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio is currently 1-1 at the start of the 2023-24 season. In their first game, the Bobcats fell 71-64 in a tough battle at App State (11/11). Ohio bounced back and was able to take down Dayton, 67-61, in their home opener (11/16).
 
Redshirt junior Madi Mace and sophomore Jaya McClure lead Ohio in scoring with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Mace is also the Bobcats' top-rebounder with 10 total, followed by freshman Monica Williams who has tallied nine rebounds through two games. Ohio is currently averaging 65.5 points, 33.5 rebounds and 25.5 turnovers per game.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Ohio women's basketball team (1-1, 0-0 MAC) triumphed over Dayton (1-2, A10), 67-61, in its home opener on Thursday, Nov. 16 in the Convocation Center.
 
After missing the first game of the season, sophomore Jaya McClure (Louisville, Ky.) returned with a standout performance. She led the team with 18 points, three steals, four assists along with a .667 field goal and three-point percentage. With McClure leading the charge, the Bobcats showed that contributions from multiple players on the court are important for a solid team win. Redshirt junior Madi Mace (Parkersburg, W. Va.) tallied 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and netted a career-high three field goals from the arch. Junior Kennedi Watkins (Ballwin, Mo.) recorded 10 points – with a career-best three three-pointers – and five rebounds.
 
It was a slow start in regards to scoring with the Bobcats leading Dayton 14-9 at the end of the first quarter. Ohio out-shot the Flyers in three of the four quarters, outperforming Dayton with a cumulative 38.6 field goal and 39.1 three-point percentage.
 
A main source of Ohio's success came from its quick transitions from defense to offense. Overall, the team totaled 14 steals, 20 points off turnovers and 13 fast-break points. Freshman Laylay Fantroy (Palestine, Texas) amassed a career-best five rebounds and two assists. Senior Bengisu Alper (Istanbul, Turkey) and freshman Bailey Tabeling (Seymour, Ind.) contributed three steals each. Sophomore Cassidy Lafler (Dublin, Ohio) was one of Ohio's unsung heroes on defense. In 20 minutes on the court, Lafler earned four rebounds and a career-best two steals.
 
The game was a battle throughout the entire 40 minutes, but Dayton really put the pressure on the Bobcats within the last two minutes of the fourth quarter. Even with the high pressure from the Flyers, Ohio was able to regroup and conclude its home opener with a satisfying 67-61 victory.
 
ALL TIME VS MOREHEAD STATE
The Bobcats and Eagles have played each other six times and most recently met during the 2014-15 season. Ohio leads the series with four wins while Morehead State has earned two.
 
LAST TIME VS MOREHEAD STATE
The last competition between Ohio and Morehead State was during the 2014-15 season with the Bobcats earning an 87-67 victory over the Eagles.
 
MAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STATISTIC LEADERS (Thru 11/20)
 
Team Rankings (Top 5):
Scoring Margin - 3rd (-0.5)
Field Goal Percentage - 4th (0.411)
3PT Field Goal Percentage - 3rd (0.390)
3PT FGs Made Per Game - 5th (8.0)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game - 3rd (26.5)
Blocks Per Game - 5th (3.50)
Steals Per Game -  1st (15.00)
Total Steals - 3rd (30)
 
Individual Rankings (Top 10):
Defensive Rebounds Per Game - Madi Mace, 10th (5.0)
3PT Field Goal Percentage - Madi Mace, 4th (.571)
3PT FGs Per Game - Madi Mace, 10th (2.0)
Blocked Shots - Kate Dennis, 3rd (5)
Blocked Shots Per Game - Kate Dennis, 1st (2.5)
Steals - Laylay Fantroy, 7th (6); Bengisu Alper, 8th (6)
Steals Per Game - Laylay Fantroy, 2nd (3.0); Bengisu Alper, 3rd (3.0); Bailey Tabeling, 6th (2.5)
 
Game-High Stats (Top 3):
Team Steals - 2nd (16), Ohio at App State (11/11/23); 3rd (14), Ohio vs. Dayton (11/16/23)
Individual Steals - Laylay Fantroy, 2nd (6); Ohio at App State (11/11/23)
Individual Blocks - Kate Dennis, 2nd (4); Ohio at App State (11/11/23)
 
MAC PRESEASON POLL
The Ohio women's basketball team was selected to finish ninth in the 2023-24 MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league on Thursday, Nov. 2. Ohio earned 40 points and was chosen to finish above Western Michigan (38), Central Michigan (24) and Miami (23). Toledo (121) was selected to finish first in the conference with 11 first-place votes and the 2024 MAC Tournament with nine votes. Ball State (110) also received one first-place vote, was picked to finish second in the conference and earned two tournament champion votes.
 
UP NEXT
The Bobcats return to the Convocation Center for a matchup with IUPUI on Sunday, Nov. 26. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
 
#OUohyeah