FOLLOW OHIO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio women's basketball team (9-17, 6-9 MAC) defeated the Western Michigan Broncos (12-14, 7-8 MAC) 67-64 after an intense battle in the Convocation Center on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Overall, the Bobcats shot 45 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from the three-point arch. The Bobcats went 5-for-6 at the free-throw line. The Bobcats grabbed a total of 30 rebounds with 25 being defensive. Ohio's defense forced 14 turnovers and scored 20 points off them. Western Michigan outrebounded Ohio 36-30, but Ohio recorded 11 steals.
Individually, the Bobcats were led by freshman Laylay Fantroy (Palestine, Texas) with 14 points and four rebounds. Junior Kate Dennis (Rockford, Ill.) with 12 points, two rebounds and two blocks. Sophomore Jaya McClure (Louisville, Ky.) with 11 points, eight assists and four steals. Junior Kennedi Watkins (Ballwin, Mo.) also added 11 points, three rebounds and one steal.
Ohio won the tip but failed to sink a basket on its end of the court. Western Michigan would snag a rebound and score a three-point jumper on the other end, but Freshman Monica Williams (Indianapolis, Ind.) would put Ohio on the board quickly following also sinking a three-point basket. The Bobcats and Broncos would trade baskets to keep the score tied, but layups from Fantroy and Alper would get the Bobcats ahead. Dennis would continue Ohio's offensive streak with a pullup three-point jumper assisted by McClure. McClure would sink two additional layups off opponent turnovers. Western Michigan began to crawl back into the game sinking three three-point baskets in a row, putting it ahead of Ohio going into the second quarter by three points.
Western Michigan sank a three-pointer to begin the second quarter but Williams would respond with a driving layup. Freshman Bailey Tabeling (Seymour, Ind.) would snag a steal and drive it in for a layup to add points for Ohio. Watkins sank a three-point jumper assisted by senior Peyton Guice (Westerville, Ohio) to tie the score before going into the first media timeout of the quarter. Out of the timeout, Fantroy drove the ball in for a layup off an assist from Williams.
Watkins went 2-for-2 at the stripe and Fantroy would drive the ball down the court for a layup on a fast break to keep Ohio's offensive streak strong. McClure had a three-point play after drawing a foul on a jumper, giving Ohio a lead of eight points. Western Michigan would end the quarter with a layup and three-point basket to close the gap to three points. Going into the locker room, Ohio led by three.
Western Michigan opened the second half tying the score with a three-point jumper. Ohio was determined to keep a lead with back-to-back scoring from Tabeling with two three-point jumpers and a driving layup off a turnover from McClure. Fantroy extended Ohio's lead drawing a foul on a layup to get the three-point play.
Ohio would use a defensive press after Fantroy's free throw to force Western Michigan to turn the ball over on the other end. The Bobcats' defense would force the Broncos to go into a three-minute score drought. The Broncos would break its scoreless streak with a three-point jumper and layup to close the gap against the Bobcats to one point. Both teams would trade baskets, but Western Michigan would ultimately tie the score with 28 seconds left in the quarter.
In the final quarter of the game, neither team would score for the first minute of play forcing a timeout from Western Michigan. Out of the timeout, Dennis sank a three-point jumper to put Ohio ahead once more. Williams would follow with a steal and drive the ball down the court for a layup to further Ohio's lead. Going into the final media timeout of the game, Ohio led by five points. Western Michigan would sink 3-of-4 of its free throws off personal fouls to close the score gap against Ohio. Dennis would respond with a three-point jumper assisted by McClure, but Western Michigan would follow with an additional three-point jumper forcing Ohio to call a timeout.
Ohio led by two points with one minute remaining on the clock. Fantroy would draw a shooting foul off a layup, but would only make one of her two attempts. Western Michigan sank a three-point jumper to tie the score, but Dennis would respond with another three-point jumper assisted by McClure with nine seconds remaining in the game forcing Western Michigan to use its final timeout of the game. Out of the timeout, Ohio would press on defense to stop Western Michigan from scoring and winning 67-64.
The Bobcats will remain in Athens to take on the Central Michigan Chippewas for Senior Day on Saturday, March 2. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET and is available on ESPN+.
#OUohyeah
