INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Ohio Women's basketball team (3-6, 0-0 MAC) fell to the Bulldogs of Butler (8-4, 0-1 Big East), 49-69 on Thursday afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
 
The first quarter with both teams putting up shots, with Butler going on a quick run to go up as much as 13 points in the first quarter. The Bobcats fell behind an 11-1 run late into the first, but still got to the free throw line effectively. The Bobcat deficit would sit at 12 at the end of the first period, but forced five turnovers.
 
Ohio began the scoring early in the second when sophomore Jaya McClure (Louisville, Ky.) connected an and-one to cut the lead to single digits. Freshman Bailey Tabeling (Seymour, Ind.) then hit a long-distance three to cut the Bulldogs' first quarter lead in half only two minutes into the second quarter. Butler would then take momentum back and re-inflate the lead to 22 with two minutes left in the quarter, conducting an 18-2 run to end the half.
 
The Bobcats ended the first half down 16-38. McClure lead the scoring charge with eight points and junior guard Kennedi Watkins (Ballwin, Mo.) grabbed four rebounds.
 
As the third quarter began, the Bobcats looked to get back into the game, but allowed the Bulldog lead to grow until the midway point of the third. McClure and freshman guard Laylay Fantroy (Palestine, Texas) were able to score six unanswered points to cut the lead to slightly late in the third. The Bobcats were able to nearly double their score in the third period, but trailed 30-57 after three.
 
The Bobcats were able to put up points quickly in the fourth, creating a 6-0 run of their own. The Bobcats forced several turnovers, one of which ended in a Tabeling three-pointer. The Bobcats continued to push into the Bulldog lead late in the fourth, but ended up falling by a final score of 49-69.
 
McClure individually lead the Bobcats in both scoring and assists, where she put up 13 and three, respectively. Watkins lead the Bobcats in rebounds, pulling in six throughout the game. Tabeling finished second in scoring with eight points. McClure, along with leading scoring and assists, finished joint-second on the team with Tabeling in rebounds, pulling in four.
 
As a team, the Bobcats shot 9-15 (60%) from the free throw line. The Bobcats forced 24 turnovers, scoring 18 points off of turnovers. Ohio pulled in 29 total rebounds, eight of which offensive. The Bobcats scored eight more fast break points, had two more blocks, and four more steals than the Bulldogs. The Bobcat bench outscored the Bulldogs' bench 19-17, led by Tabeling's eight.
 
The Bobcats will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 30 as they travel to Louisville, Ky. for a game against Bellarmine. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m., and the game can be viewed on ESPN+
 
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