BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Ohio women's basketball team (3-14, 1-6 MAC) fell 71-55 at Buffalo (16-2, 5-2 MAC) on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
 
Senior Kennedi Watkins (Ballwin, Mo.) led Ohio with a total of 15 points. Graduate student Aliah McWhorter (Cincinnati, Ohio) and sophomore Bailey Tabeling (Seymour, Ind.) contributed 11 points each, a career-high for McWhorter.
 
Tabeling grabbed a team-high eight boards. Freshman Gigi Bower (Powell, Ohio) and Tabeling led the team in assists with four each. Bower also recorded a team-high three steals.
 
Ohio trailed for entirety of the first quarter but were always within a few baskets from Buffalo. About halfway through the quarter, Buffalo held a 12-8 lead over the Bobcats. The Bulls had several free throw opportunities that allowed them to largen their lead. With 1:22 to go in the quarter, Buffalo led Ohio 19-12. At the end of the first quarter, Ohio trailed 20-14.
 
The second quarter was a better one for the Bobcats. The team played together on both sides of the court. Despite struggling to score on several plays, Ohio's defense made a difference. With 7:43 to go, Buffalo held a 22-16 lead over Ohio. The Bobcats slowly closed in on the Bulls' lead and only trailed 29-24 with 2:55 to go in the quarter. Heading into the locker room, Buffalo held a 31-26 lead over Ohio.
 
At the half, the two teams were tied for rebounds with 22 total each. The Bobcats also had seven assists, four blocks and two steals.
 
The third quarter was a physical one with a lot of fouls being called. With 6:28 left in the third, Ohio only trailed by six points. Tabeling drained a basket from the arc with around five minutes left in the quarter. Buffalo answered back with a three-pointer of its own and increased its lead to 44-38. The Bobcats struggled to score throughout the quarter went down 10 points at 3:41 to go in the third. Buffalo held a 54-42 lead over Ohio heading into the final quarter of the game.
 
Despite their efforts, the Bobcats were unable to catch up with the Bulls in the fourth quarter. Buffalo went on to win the game 72-55.
 
The Bobcats will be back in action when they Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 25. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET and the game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
 
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