FOLLOW OHIO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

ATHENS, OH.– The Ohio Women's Basketball Team (5-18, 3-9 MAC) was back in the Convocation Center to take on the Northern Illinois Huskies (12-11, 4-8 MAC) on Saturday afternoon (2/11). The contest between the two Mid-American Conference schools was not their first battle of the 2022-23 season, and the Bobcats were out for redemption, securing a 72-71 win. Overall, Ohio was led by Yaya Felder with 23 points, followed by Caitlyn Kroll with 15 points and Jasmine Hale with 11 points.

Redshirt Senior, Caitlyn Kroll reflects on the win and reaching her second double-double of the season, "all season we have been put in situations where we have been down, but we still have a lot of confidence in each other. We know that when we are down we just gotta keep battling back; there's not been many times where we have been up in a lot of games, so we know what it feels like to just keep battling, and that's what we did. I also know I haven't been playing at my best these last few games so I had to be consistent in the gym and know that whenever I step out on the court, I have to do whatever I can to help my team win."

Overall, the Ohio Bobcats went 25-of-57 (43.9%) from the field, 11-of-27 (40.7%) from the three, 11-of-21 (52.4%) from the line, snagged 38 rebounds, 2 steals, and collected 18 assists.

From the jump, the Huskies grabbed the ball but were immediately challenged by the Bobcats' defense. Redshirt junior Jasmine Hale (Cincinnati, Ohio) initiated the first baskets for Ohio, having two back to back layups with an assist from redshirt junior Abby Garnett (Golden, Colo.). Offensively, the Bobcats collected a total of 22 points in the first quarter, which was led by redshirt senior Caitlyn Kroll (Bridgeport, Ohio) with five, followed by Jasmine Hale with four. On the defensive side, the Bobcats grabbed a total of 12 rebounds, seven defensive and five offensive. Going into the second quarter, Ohio led by three points putting the score at 22-19. 

In the second ten minutes of play, the Bobcats continued to set the tempo, holding strong on defense. The Bobcats forced shot clock violations on the Huskies and totaled 7 defensive rebounds. Caitlyn Kroll led with three, followed by Yaya Felder with two. An offensive highlight of the quarter was two back to back three pointers from Abby Garnett that were assisted by Caitlyn Kroll and freshman Jaya McClure (Louisville, Ky.). Going into the locker room, the score stood at 34-32 with the Bobcats leading by two. 

At the end of the first half, the Bobcats were shooting 11-of-28 (39.3%) from the field, 6-of-16 from the three (37.5%), and went 6-of-7 (85.7%) from the free throw line. Ohio also snagged an impressive 19 rebounds; 14 defensive and 5 offensive. 

Coming out of the locker room, Yaya Felder initiated scoring between the two MAC schools in the third quarter with a three point jumper that was assisted by Caitlyn Kroll. In the next two minutes of play, the Bobcats had two back to back layups that were made by Jasmine Hale and Caitlyn Kroll. To end the third quarter, the score was even at 46 apiece with 1 minute left on the clock, Jaya McClure hit one more three pointer to give the Bobcats the lead back at 49-46. The Huskies immediately responded to McClure's offensive play with a three to get the score even once more at 49-49 going into the fourth quarter. 

Entering the final ten minutes of play, Ohio continued to press on defense, collecting a total of 11 rebounds; eight defensive and three offensive. On offense, Yaya Felder hit a three pointer to tie the game at 59, after Ohio trailed the majority of the fourth quarter. With five minutes left on the clock, both MAC teams were making back and forth shots, keeping the score even. Yaya Felder increased the lead for the Bobcats with a layup and two free throws made at the line, putting Ohio up by 2 in the last two minutes of play. The Huskies came back with another second chance layup and forcing a foul, giving them a one point lead against the Bobcats with 12 seconds left of the game. In the last two seconds of play, Ohio had possession and were determined to comeback against the Huskies on their home court. It was Yaya Felder who made that a reality for the Bobcats with a driving layup off a beautiful pass from Abby Garnett putting the Bobcats in the lead by 1 with 1.6 left on the game clock. NIU had the ball for one last shot, but Ohio's defense led by Caitlyn Kroll held strong to end the game with a final score of 72-71. 

Up Next:
The Ohio Bobcats will hit the road to Ball State in Muncie, Ind. to take on the Cardinals (2/15). Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN3/+.

#OUohyeah