LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Ohio women's basketball team (3-7, 0-0 MAC) lost 70-66 in a hard-fought battle at Bellarmine (5-7, 0-0 ASUN) on Saturday, Dec. 30.
 
Despite a slow first half, sophomore Jaya McClure (Louisville, Ky.) tallied her seventh double-figure point game of the season. McClure netted a season-high 21 points, a career-high eight field goals and distributed six assists.
 
Junior Kate Dennis (Rockford, Ill.) also had a double-figure point game with a season-best 10 points. Junior Kennedi Watkins (Ballwin, Mo.) and freshman Monica Williams (Indianapolis, Ind.) scored eight points each for Ohio.
 
Watkins, senior Bengisu Alper (Istanbul, Turkey) and sophomore Cassidy Lafler (Dublin, Ohio) led Ohio in rebounding with six a piece. After missing two games, Lafler matched her career high in rebounds. Alper also recorded a team-high and career-best three steals.
 
At the conclusion of the first quarter, Bellarmine had a 20-14 lead over Ohio. Dennis led Ohio with eight points; shooting 60 percent from the field and 50 percent from the arc. The Knights outrebounded the Bobcats, 11-8, but Ohio forced Bellarmine to give up three more turnovers.
 
After scoring 21 points in the second quarter, Ohio earned a 35-32 lead over Bellarmine at the half. Ohio's offense in the second quarter was successful due to contributions by several players on the court. Freshman Bailey Tabeling (Seymour, Ind.) and Williams netted five and four points, respectively.
 
At the end of the first half, Ohio totaled 19 rebounds, five assists, 10 points off turnovers and 18 points in the paint. Alper collected three rebounds and three steals. Redshirt junior Madi Mace (Parkersburg, W. Va.) also grabbed three rebounds and McClure recorded a team-high three assists.
 
The game remained close between Ohio and Bellarmine with both teams tallying 17 points in the third quarter. However, the Bobcats were able to maintain a 52-49 lead heading into the final quarter largely due to the offensive performance by McClure. McClure reached double figures in points after scoring a total of 13 in the 10 minutes of play. With under a minute to go in the third, the two teams were tied at 49-49. After being fouled on a successful driving layup, McClure finished on a free throw opportunity and Ohio regained its lead over Bellarmine.
 
Both teams put up a hard fight until the very end of the game, but Bellarmine was able to pull away and earn a 70-66 win.
 
UP NEXT
The Bobcats will open conference play with a game versus Akron on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in the Convocation Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET and the game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
 
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