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KALAMAZOO, MICH.– The Bobcats (6-20, 4-11 MAC) is continuing their road stretch this Saturday (2/225), facing off against the Western Michigan Broncos (10-16, 5-10 MAC). The conference matchup is set to begin at 2 pm and will be played at University Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Streaming will be available on ESPN3/+ or the contest can be followed through Stat Broadcast here.
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Bobcats will take on the Western Michigan Broncos for the second time this season, and are looking to add a win to the all-time series, after falling to WMU in January. Ohio currently leads the series by four wins at 35-31. The Broncos have begun to decrease the gap in the all-time series record and are looking to keep the momentum going.
LAST TIME OUT
Most recently, the two Mid-American Conference teams saw each other on January 18th of the 2022-23 season at the Convocation Center in Athens. The matchup was a back and forth battle, but ended in a 57-68 Ohio loss. In the January matchup, Ohio was led in scoring by Yaya Felder securing 17 points, followed by Jasmine Hale with 13, and Caitlyn Kroll with 11. Ohio had 3 players reach double figures in scoring, but it wasn't enough to defeat Lauren Ross with 25 points and the Broncos. Overall, in the last time out, Ohio went 20-of-55 (36.4%) from the field, 8-of-20 (40%) from the three, and 9-of-11 (81.8%) from the line. Whereas the Broncos went 24-of-57 (42.1%) from the field, 12-of-29 (41.4%) from the three, and 8-of-13 (61.5%) from the line.
SCOUTING THE BRONCOS
In the last Western Michigan contest they fell to the Ball State Cardinals, 49-80. The Broncos were led in scoring by Taylor Williams with 20 points going 8-of-13 from the field, 0-of-2 from the three, and 4-of-4 from the line. Williams also led the team on Wednesday night in blocks totaling 4 and assists with 6. In terms of rebounding, Hannah Spitzley topped the board for WMU, snagging 10 total, 4 offensive and 6 defensive. Williams was close behind with 9 rebounds.
LEADING WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Broncos have been led this season by now injured, Lauren Ross with 371 total points in 17 games. Ross was averaging 21.8 a game and was shooting 46.5% from the field. Since Ross last hit the court, the Broncos have been led in scoring by Taylor Williams with 370 points, averaging 14.8 a game. Taylor Williams also leads the team in rebounds with 224, averaging 9 rebounds a game. Hannah Spitzley follows with 138 rebounds and leads the Broncos in steals, snagging 54. Another offensive leader for WMU is Gabi Saxman with 56 assists, followed by Alli Carlson with 55 assists.
BRONCOS NON-CONFERENCE SEASON
The Broncos started the 2022-23 season with 3 tough losses to Loyola Chicago (51-60), Michigan State (49-97), and Michigan (67-99). Getting settled into the new season they went on to defeat Youngstown State (62-54), and Grace Christian University (102-41), before traveling to Colorado. The trip to Colorado proved to be difficult for the Broncos falling to CU Boulder (37-75), and Colorado State (65-85). The Broncos came back to win their next three games against; Valparaiso (68-62), Indiana State (77-67), and Chicago State (101-73). Western Michigan finished out their non-conference play at Notre Dame where they fell 57-85.
PROJECTED STARTERS FOR THE BRONCOS
(#33) Taylor Williams, (#3) Hannah Spitzley, (#2)Maddie Watters, (#10) Gabi Saxman, and (#14) Abby Voss.
OHIO'S MOST RECENT STATS
The Bobcats ended their last game going 20-of-48 (41.7%) from the field, 4-of-19 (21.1%) from the three, 12-of-12 (100%) from the line, grabbing 31 rebounds, 7 steals, and collecting 8 assists.
LAST TO LEAD
On Wednesday night (2/22), the Bobcats were led by Yaya Felder on offense totaling 24 points, followed by Jaya McClure with 12 points. Felder went 8-of-21 from the field, 2-of-8 from the three, and 6-of-6 from the line. McClure went 4-of-7 from the field, 0-of-2 from the three, and 4-of-4 from the line. Yaya also led Ohio in rebounds totaling 6, securing 3 offensive and 3 defensive rebounds, while Jaya McClure led Ohio in assists with 3. Jasmine Hale also helped Ohio on defense with 5 rebounds, followed by 4 from Garnett.
NOW LEADING OHIO
Throughout the 2022-23 season, Ohio has been led in scoring by sophomore Yaya Felder. Felder has hit double figures in 23 games this season and currently totals 548 points for the Bobcats, averaging 21.1 a game. Caitlyn Kroll follows with 209 points, and behind her is Jaya McClure with 187. Caitlyn Kroll also leads Ohio in rebounds, totaling 147; 125 defensive rebounds and 22 offensive. In terms of steals Yaya holds 56 for the season and Kroll is behind with 42. Leading in blocks is Abby Garnett with 17, followed by Ella Pope with 14.
MATCHUP NOTES
- Yaya Felder leads the MAC in scoring with 548 points and a 21.1 average
- WMU's Taylor Williams is 12th in scoring for the MAC with 370 points, averaging 14.8 a game
- Both teams are still fighting for a spot in the post season MAC tournament
- This is Ohio's final road game of the 2023 season
Up Next:
The Bobcats last road stretch of the 2022-23 season will come to a close after Saturday's matinee in Michigan. The team will return to the Convocation Center Wednesday (3/1) to play their cross state rivals at 7 pm. The Miami RedHawks are looking for revenge after the Bobcats defeated them in overtime earlier this season. Tipoff is set for 7 pm in Athens, Ohio and can be streamed on ESPN3/+.
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