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

ATHENS, OH.– The Ohio Women's Basketball Team (6-19, 4-10 MAC) returned to the Convocation Center for a Saturday afternoon matinee against the Central Michigan Chippewas (6-19, 4-10 MAC) on 2/18. The contest between the two Mid-American Conference schools was not their first battle of the season, and the Bobcats were out for redemption from the previous three point loss against the Chippewas, securing a 83-75 win. Overall, Ohio was led by sophomore Yaya Felder (Hartford, Conn) with 32 points, followed by freshman Jaya McClure (Louisville, Ky.) with a career high 22 points, and redshirt junior Abby Garnett (Golden, Colo.) with 10 points. 

Overall, the Ohio Bobcats went 30-of-66 (45.5%) from the field, 14-of-33 (42.4%) from the three, 9-of-9 (100%) from the line, snagged 40 rebounds, grabbed 9 steals, and collected 22 assists.

From the jump, the Bobcats grabbed the ball and Yaya Felder initiated the first basket with a layup, giving the first 2-0 lead for the Bobcats. Offensively, the Bobcats collected a total of 30 points in the first quarter, which were led by Felder with 13 points, followed by Abby Garnett with five points. On the defensive side, the Bobcats grabbed a total of five rebounds, four defensive and one offensive. The first quarter ended with junior Kailah Johnson (Holland, Ohio) having a buzzer beater, putting the Bobcats ahead by four points and the score 30-26 going into the second quarter. 

In the second ten minutes of play, the Bobcats continued to hold strong on both offense and defense against the Chippewas. McClure led the Bobcats on offense collecting a total of 10 points in the second quarter, followed by Felder with nine. An offensive highlight of the quarter was from McClure, who made a driving layup in the paint off of a defensive steal. The Bobcats' defense in the quarter collected a total of five steals and 13 rebounds, which were once again led by Felder with five rebounds. Going into the locker room, the score stood 57-37 with the Bobcats having an impressive 20-point lead. 

Coming out of the locker room, the Chippewas challenged the Bobcats' defense to try and close the score gap between the two MAC schools. The Bobcats continued to press back on defense against Central Michigan, grabbing 13 rebounds and snagging three steals in the quarter. Two offensive highlights of the quarter was a driving layup made by Felder off a defensive steal, and another by Garnett who scored a second chance layup under the basket assisted by redshirt junior Jasmine Hale (Cincinnati, Ohio). Ending the third quarter Ohio led by 13, setting the score against Central Michigan 75-62.

Entering the final ten minutes of play, the Bobcats came in with string energy to secure the win against Central Michigan. Offensively the Bobcats were led in the quarter by Felder with five points and two rebounds. Ohio finished the game with intense energy, securing a redemption win over the Chippewas 83-75. 

Up Next:
The Ohio Bobcats will hit the road on 2/22 to play the Kent State Flashes. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN3/+. 

#OUohyeah