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MUNCIE, IN.– The Ohio Women's Basketball Team (5-18, 3-9 MAC) traveled to Muncie Wednesday night to face the Ball State Cardinals (21-4, 11-1 MAC). The Bobacts fought hard against the second ranked team in the Mid-American Conference, but ultimately came out short 53-78. Sophomore Yaya Felder (Hartford, CT) led Ohio overall, securing 19 points and 8 rebounds. 

Ohio started the contest strong in a defensive zone, holding Ball State to only 3 points for the first 6 minutes of play. Ohio collected 9 defensive rebounds in the first 10 minutes of play, compared to Ball State's 5. The Bobcats defensive rebounds came from Abby Garnett, Yaya Felder, Caitlyn Kroll, Kailah Johnson, Cassidy Lafler, and Aja Austin. On offense Ohio's scoring was initiated by redshirt senior, Caitlyn Kroll (Bridgeport, OH), with a three point jumper, followed by a two point drive from Redshirt Junior Abby Garnett (Golden, Co). Junior Kailah Johnson (Holland, Oh) also grabbed a three pointer for the Bobcats. Ohio got the score to 12-5, before Ball State started to increase offensive pressure in the last two minutes of play getting the score to 12-11, with Ohio up 1 point to end the quarter.

To start the second quarter, Ball State went on an immediate 17 to 4 scoring run to take the lead. The Cardinals had the Bobcats at 14-22 with 6:11 left on the clock, before Head Coach Bob Boldon called a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Yaya Felder forced 2 Ball State fouls while making drives in the paint and Caitlyn Kroll had a two point jumper in hopes of reigniting the Ohio offense. Kate Dennis then followed with a three pointer assisted by Caitlyn Kroll to get the score at 20-35. The Bobcats were unable to match Ball State's offense in the second quarter, with the Cardinals going 10-of-14 from the field at 71.4% and Ohio going 3-of-10 (30%). Ohio was also outrebounded by Ball State, only grabbing 4 compared to the Cardinals 8. Going into the locker room at the end of the first half the score stood at 20-37.

Coming out of the locker room for the third quarter, Ohio continued to battle against the intensity of the Cardinals defense. Ball State held Ohio at 20 points for the first 4 minutes of the quarter before Yaya went to the free throw line. Other third quarter points came from Jaya McClure, Caitlyn Kroll, and Cassidy Lafler with driving layups. The Bobcats secured 13 points in the third and outrebounded the Cardinals 10 to 9. Going into the final quarter, Ohio was behind 33-55 and they were determined to increase their offensive intensity for 10 more minutes to further close the gap in scoring.

The fourth quarter started with an immediate three point jumper from Yaya Felder to set the tone for the Bobcats, but Ball State's Thelma Dis Agustsdottir responded quickly with a three from downtown. All eyes continued to be on Thelma as she surpassed, and set the Cardinals new record for most three pointers in a single game, securing 9. The threes continued with back to back jumpers from Ohio's Yaya Felder and Abby Garnett, both assisted by Cassidy Lafler. Defensively Ohio grabbed 8 rebounds and 6 steals in the fourth quarter, but couldn't even out the score or regain their initial lead, falling 53-78 to the Ball State Cardinals. 

Up Next:
After leaving Munice, the Ohio Bobcats will return home to the Convocation Center to take on Central Michigan this Saturday (3/11). Tipoff will be at 1pm and can be streamed on ESPN3.

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