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ATHENS, OH.– The Ohio Women's Basketball team (5-19, 3-10 MAC) will return home to the Convocation Center Saturday afternoon (2/18) to play the Central Michigan Chippewas (6-18, 4-9). The matchup will mark the second meeting between the Bobcats and the Chippewas in 2022-23 season. The game will be tip-offed at 1 pm and can be streamed on ESPN3. 

ALL-TIME SERIES
The current history between the Bobcats and the Chippewas stretches through several years and competitive season matchups. The two MAC teams have seen each other a recorded 74 times, with the Bobcats trailing 33-41 in the all-time series. The Bobcats are looking to add a win this Saturday to increase their stance in the all-time record after falling to the Chippewas in their last matchup. 

LAST TIME OUT 
The two MAC teams last met less than a month ago on January 25th in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The matchup proved to be a battle with a final score of 66-69. The Bobcats fell by 3 points in the fourth quarter after an exciting road game. Ohio was led by Yaya Felder as she hit her current career high in scoring. Felder grabbed 40 points for the Bobcats going 12-of-24 from the field, 3-of-10 from the three, and 13-of-14 from the free throw line on Jan 25th. Felder currently holds the most single game points at 40, from the last time out with the Chippewas. Caitlyn Kroll also led the Bobcats, topping the board in rebounding with 9 total, all defensive, followed by Abby Garnett with 7; 2 offensive and 5 defensive rebounds. Overall, the Bobcats went 20-of-56 (35.7%) from the field, 7-of-31 (22.6%)from the three, and 19-of-24 (79.2%) from the free throw line. In the last time out, Ohio also grabbed an impressive 39 collective rebounds. 

SCOUTING THE CHIPPEWAS
Central Michigan most recently defeated the Miami RedHawks on Wednesday (2/15). The Chippewas won 83-80 and were led by Sydney Harris on offense with 24 points. Two other Chippewas scored in double figures; Bridget Utberg with 19, and Nadége Jean with 10. On defense, Mikala Hall led with 6 rebounds; 2 offensive and 4 defensive. Hall also led the team in assists, collecting 8 of their total 13.

LEADING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Over the 2022-23 season, CMU has been led in scoring by Sydney Harris with 412 points, averaging 17.2 a game. Trailing Harris is Bridget Utberg with 248 accumulated points, averaging 11.8 a game. On the defensive side, the Chippewas are led by Rochelle Norris with 157 rebounds; 100 defensive and 57 offensive. Taylor Anderson is close behind with 136 rebounds; 61 offensive, and 75 defensive. Anderson also leads CMU in steals with 36 this season. Aside from rebounds, Rochelle Norris also leads CMU in blocks with an impressive 39.  

CMU NON-CONFERENCE SEASON
In the weeks leading up to MAC play, Central Michigan had tough non-conference games where they fell to Valparaiso (64-71), Indiana State (71-84), West Virgina (33-64), Michigan State (54-84), Tulane (66-78), Georgia Tech (45-71), Cleveland State (55-86), Oakland (60-71), and Eastern Illinois (67-78).  The Chippewas were able to pull out wins against North Dakota State (66-65), and Chicago State (80-62). 

PROJECTED STARTERS
Sydney Harris (#25), Bridget Utberg (#11), Annkie Weekes (#5), Rochelle Norris (#31), and Taylor Anderson (#24)

OHIO'S MOST RECENT STATS
The Bobcats ended their last game against Ball State going 17-of-54 (31.5%) from the field, 7-of-24 (29.2%) from the three, 12-of-18 (66.7.4%) from the line, snagged 32 rebounds, 13 steals, and had 10 assists.

LAST TO LEAD
In the Bobcats last contest, Yaya Felder led Ohio on offense totaling 19 points. Felder went 5-of-16 from the field, 2-of-8 from the three, and 7-of-10 from the line. Felder also led Ohio in rebounds totaling 8; 1 offensive and 7 defensive. Overall, Jaya McClure led Ohio on defense with 4 assists and 3 steals. 

NOW LEADING OHIO
Throughout the 2022-23 season, Ohio has been led by Yaya Felder in scoring. Felder has hit double figures in almost every game this season and currently totals 492 points for the Bobcats, averaging 20.5 a game. Caitlyn Kroll follows with 209 points, and behind her is Abby Garnett with 168. Caitlyn Kroll also leads Ohio in rebounds, totaling 147; 125 defensive rebounds and 22 offensive. In terms of steals Yaya holds 51 for the season and Kroll is behind with 42. Leading in blocks is Ella Pope and Abby Garnett with 14 apiece.

MATCHUP NOTES
- Ohio's Yaya Felder currently stands at FIRST in the MAC for scoring with 492 points and a 20.5 average
- Felder is third in the MAC for assists, totaling 96
- Central Michigan's Sydney Harris is 4th in the MAC for scoring with 412 points and a 17.2 average
- This is the second matchup between the two MAC schools this season and Ohio is looking to redeem themselves after a 66-69 loss on 1/25
- Ohio has suffered this season from multiple injuries and Caitlyn Kroll now joins the list of injured players 
- Both teams are still in the fight for a spot in the 2023 MAC tournament 

Up Next:
After the Saturday Matinee, the Ohio Bobcats will get back on the road for an in-state matchup against Kent State on Wednesday (2/22). The game start at 7pm and can be streamed on ESPN3/+.

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