ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio women's basketball team (5-4, 0-0 MAC) is set to host Wilberforce (2-7, 1-3 HBCUAC) on Sunday, Dec. 28 in the Convocation Center. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET and the game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
 
SCOUTING WILBERFORCE
Wilberforce has a 2-7 overall and 1-3 conference record heading into its matchup at Ohio.
 
The Bulldogs average 68.7 PPG; shooting 37.1 percent from the field, 28.0 percent from the arc and 58.6 percent from the line. Wilberforce averages 41.8 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 10.0 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. The Bulldogs have forced 15.9 turnovers per game.
 
Wilberforce's opponents average 74.0 PPG; shooting 40.0 percent from the field, 28.2 percent from the arc and 63.2 percent from the line. Opponents average 39.4 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 8.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
 
SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio has a 5-4 overall record heading into its matchup with Wilberforce.
 
The Bobcats average 70.2 PPG; shooting 36.8 percent from the field, 28.8 percent from the arc and 64.3 percent from the line. The team averages 38.8 rebounds, 12.3 assists, 12.0 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. The Bobcats have forced 21.3 turnovers per game and average 18.6 points off turnovers.
 
Ohio's opponents average 71.0 PPG; shooting 40.5 percent from the field, 31.9 percent from the arc and 66.1 percent from the line. Opponents average 42. 6 rebounds, 15.6 assists, 7.2 steals and 3.9 blocks per game. Opponents have forced Ohio to give up 16.7 turnovers per game and average 16.2 points off turnovers.
 
LAST TIME VS WILBERFORCE
This is the first meeting between the two teams.
 
ALL TIME VS WILBERFORCE
This is the first meeting between the two teams.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Ohio women's basketball team (5-4, 0-0 MAC) fell to Saint Louis (6-7, 1-0 A10) 80-74 in a tough battle on Saturday, Dec. 20.
 
Overall, Ohio shot 25.6 percent from the field, 21.6 percent from the arc and 70.3 percent from the line. The Bobcats recorded 50 rebounds, 12 assists and four blocks. Ohio tallied 13 steals and forced Saint Louis to give up 25 turnovers.
 
Junior Bailey Tabeling (Seymour, Ind.) was the led Ohio in scoring with her first 20-point game this season. Tabeling finished with seven field goals, two three-pointers, two rebounds, two assists and a team-high three steals. Tabeling also finished 4-for-5 from the line.
 
Junior Antonicia Moultrie (Nassau, Bahamas) played her best game of the season. Moultrie scored a career-high 15 points; shooting 5-for-9 from the field, 3-for-3 from the arc and 2-for-4 from the line. Moultrie also recorded a career-high six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. In addition to being one of three Bobcats to score in double figures, Moultrie led the team in steals and blocks.
 
Junior Asiah Baxter (Indianapolis, Ind.) was another key player for Ohio, scoring 10 points in addition to grabbing a team-high and career-high nine rebounds. Baxter also contributed two steals, two assists and one block.
 
Ohio got off to a tough start, allowing Saint Louis to go on a 14-0 run in the first five minutes of play. A three pointer from freshman ReRe Jennings (Killeen, Texas) got the Bobcats on the board. Ohio weas able to get a couple more points, due to the efforts of Tabeling, before the end of the quarter. After the first period of play, Ohio trailed Saint Louis 23-10.
 
Ohio took control in the beginning of the second quarter, going on a 7-0 scoring run off a three pointer by graduate student Elli Garnett (Lakewood, Colo.) and back-to-back layups by Tabeling and Baxter. Another Ohio layup by Moultrie cut Saint Louis' lead to 25-19 with 6:19 left in the quarter. Both teams went over two minutes without a basket until Saint Louis ended the scoring drought with two free throws with 3:17 to go. Ohio's final play of the half – a steal by sophomore Gigi Bower (Powell, Ohio) and layup by Baxter – cut the Bilikens' lead to three points. A last second jumper by Saint Louis put the Bilikens up 35-30 at the end of the second quarter.
 
The third quarter was both long and competitive with Saint Louis only outscoring Ohio by four points. The Bilikens opened the quarter with three straight layup, extending their lead to 41-30. Ohio went on a 9-2 scoring run, highlighted by a three pointer by Bower, halfway through the quarter to cut Saint Louis' lead to 45-40 with 4:04 to go. Ohio spent majority of the final three minutes at the free throw line. The Bobcats drew nine fouls and shot 14 free throws throughout the entire third quarter. Heading into the final quarter of the game, Ohio trailed Saint Louis 59-50.
 
Ohio went into the final period down by nine points. Both teams kicked off the fourth quarter with three-point baskets. Ohio closed in on Saint Louis' lead with seven-straight made free throws. With 5:37 left in the game, the Bobcats trailed the Bilikens 67-63. A tip in by Baxter with 4:14 left to go cut Saint Louis' lead to 67-66. Saint Louis retook control of the momentum and extended its lead to 78-70 with 1:11 left in the game. Despite putting up a hard fight, the Bobcats ultimately fell to Saint Louis 80-74.
 
TEAM STATISTICAL CATEGORY LEADERS (TOP 3)
Points: Bailey Tabeling (114/12.7 PG), Bella Ranallo (100/11.1 PG), Asiah Baxter (89/9.9 PG)
FG Made: Bailey Tabeling (34), Aliah McWhorter (33), Bella Ranallo (33), Asiah Baxter (30)
3PT Made: Bailey Tabeling (21), Bella Ranallo (14), Asiah Baxter (11), Gigi Bower (11)
FT Made: Bailey Tabeling (25), Bella Ranallo (20), Danni Scully (20), Aliah McWhorter (19)
Rebounds: Asiah Baxter (52/5.8 PG), Elli Garnett (42/4.7 PG), Bailey Tabeling (42/4.7 PG), Bella Ranallo (36/4.0 PG)
Assists: Bailey Tabeling (29), Bella Ranallo (18), Elli Garnett (13), Monica Williams (13)
Blocks: Aliah McWhorter (5), Asiah Baxter (2), Elli Garnett (2), Antonicia Moultrie (2), Monica Williams (2)
Steals: Bailey Tabeling (19), Asiah Baxter (15), Bella Ranallo (14)
Minutes Played: Bailey Tabeling (272/30.2 PG), Asiah Baxter (260/28.9 PG), Bella Ranallo (233/25.9 PG)
 
VETERAN BOBCATS
The Ohio women's basketball team has nine players returning for the 2025-26 season.
 
Among Ohio's returners is standout Bailey Tabeling, a junior guard who led the Bobcats in almost all statistical categories last season. Tabeling played and started in all 29 games, compiled 897 minutes played and averaged 30.9 minutes per game. Last season, Tabeling finished with a team-high 121 rebounds (4.2), 68 assists and 57 steals. She also ranked second on the team for points with 361 points total. Tabeling averaged 12.4 PPG; shooting 35.8 percent from the field, 27.8 percent from the arc and 76.1 percent from the line.
 
Throughout the 2024-25 season, Tabeling recorded 18 double-figure point games and her first-career double-double. She also led the team in scoring in nine games, led the team in rebounds in seven games, led the team in assists in 14 games and led the team in steals in 11 games.
 
Graduate student Aliah McWhorter is another important returner for Ohio this season. With the departure of talented leaders, McWhorter is one of the most experienced players on the team. Last season, McWhorter played in 27 games, making four starts, playing 682 minutes and averaging 25.3 minutes per game. The graduate student finished with 175 points (6.5 PG), 67 rebounds (2.5 PG), 52 assists, 32 steals and nine blocks. She averaged 6.5 PPG; shooting 42.4 percent from the field, 37.0 percent from the arc and 67.1 percent form the line. McWhorter also ranked second on the team for assists.
 
After experiencing a season-ending injury in the beginning of last season, redshirt sophomore Monica Williams returns to the court for the Bobcats. In only six games, Williams recorded 45 points (7.5 PG), 34 rebounds (45.7 PG), 14 assists, 10 steals and one block.
 
Other notable returners that earned spots in the starting lineup last season includes junior Asiah Baxter and sophomore Gigi Bower. Baxter appeared in 29 games, making 26 starts and amassing 604 minutes (20.8 PG). She finished with 91 points, 99 rebounds (3.4 PG), 34 assists, 24 steals and three blocks. Baxter averaged 3.1 PPG; shooting 28.9 percent from he field, 26.3 percent from the arc and 60.6 percent from the line. Baxter also led the team in rebounds in four games, in assists in five games and in steals in two games.
 
Bower appeared in 26 games and made 11 starts during her freshman season. She amassed 509 minutes played and averaged 19.6 minutes per game. Bower finished with 106 points, 52 (2.0 PG), 32 assists, 16 steals and two blocks. Bower averaged 4.1 PPG; shooting 31.1 percent from the field, 26.0 percent from the arc and 69.0 percent from the line. She recorded the first 20-point game of her career against Ohio Christian with a career-high 21 points.
 
Coming off the bench for Ohio is sophomore Danni Scully and senior Cassidy Lafler. In her debut season with Ohio, Scully appeared in 26 games, amassed 429 minutes played and averaged 16.5 minutes per game. She finished the season with 64 points, 61 rebounds, 16 assists, 13 steals and four blocks.
 
After missing most of the 2023-24 season due to injury, Lafler appeared in 21 games and amassed 265 minutes player (12.6 PG). She finished with 61 points, 37 rebounds, 12 assists, 10 steals and six blocks.
 
WELCOME TO ATHENS
Ohio welcomes five newcomers, including two freshmen and three transfers to its 2025-26 roster.
 
Elli Garnett (Graduate Student; Lakewood, Colo.): A 5-11 forward, Garnett joins the Bobcats after playing at Nicholls State for a season. During the 2024-25 season, she played in 31 games, making 31 starts and amassing 874 minutes played (28.2 PG). Garnett recorded 256 points (8.3 PG), 193 rebounds (6.2 PG), 43 assists, 38 steals and four blocks. Garnett shot 37.0 percent from the field, 23.4 percent from the arc and 68.5 percent from the line.
 
ReRe Jennings (Freshman; Killeen, Texas): A 5-11 guard, Jennings played basketball at Harker Heights High School. She has garnered several awards and honors including being 2025 McDonald's All-American nominee. Jennings' other accolades include 2024-25 All-State Basketball honoree, District 12-6A MVP, 12-6A First Team All-District, 5A-6A Legacy Basketball All-Star and 2024-25 Lady Knights Offensive MVP. In her high school career, she scored more than 1,500 points. Jennings led her team to a 25-10 overall record and a 12-6A District Championships title.
 
Vivienne Macheck (Freshman; Embrach, Zürich): A 5-10 guard, Macheck played basketball basketball at the United School of Sports, Macheck also played basketball at Napoleon High School (Ohio) from 2021-22. She was a member of the u23 BC Alte Kanti Arau team, serving as captain in 2024 and 2025. Macheck helped the u23 BC Alte Kanti Arau team to a 2025 Swiss National Championship title. During the 2024-25 season, Macheck appeared in 43 games with the team. 
 
Antonicia Moultrie (Junior; Nassau, Bahamas):  A 5-9 guard, Moultrie played two seasons at Garden City Community College. She played a total of 59 games, made 59 starts and accumulated 2,192 minutes played. Moultrie tallied 709 points; shooting 48.3 percent from the field, 21.7 percent from the arc and 77.1 percent from the line. Moultrie also averagd 10.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.9 steals per game. At Garden City CC, she recorded 36 double-figure point games and 19 double-doubles.
 
Bella Ranallo (Redshirt Sophomore; Lake Forest, Ill.): A 5-6 guard, Ranallo played two seasons at Clemson before joining the Bobcats. During the 2023-24, Ranallo played in seven games for the Tigers. She also recorded three points, two assists and one rebound. Ranallo was also a four-year letterwinner for basketball at Lake Forest High School. During high school, she was three-time all-conference honoree and reached the 1,000 points milestone as a senior. Ranallo earned the Outstanding Senior Athlete award and led her team to two regional championships.
 
2025-26 MAC PRESEASON POLL
The Ohio women's basketball team was selected to finish 10th in the 2025-26 Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
 
Kent State was picked to finish first with 133 points and five first-place votes. Toledo (118) and UMass (115) also received first-place votes and were picked to finished second and third, respectively. The Golden Flashes were also picked to win the MAC Championships with UMass, Toledo, Ball State and Miami also receiving votes.
 
2025-26 MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
The MAC-SBC Challenge -- the third installment of a scheduling alliance in men's and women's basketball -- will tip off on Monday, Nov. 3, with 13 Mid-American Conference (MAC) men's basketball programs hosting 13 Sun Belt Conference (SBC) teams, while the 13 MAC women's basketball programs will visit 13 SBC teams.
 
The second MAC-SBC Challenge contest for each team will take place in February, with the matchups based on real-time NET rankings and announced in January. The MAC women and Sun Belt men will host the February matchups.
 
Each MAC and Sun Belt team included in the MAC-SBC Challenge is guaranteed one home and one away game each season. Scheduling assistance is provided by Ordinal Sports Group. In addition to relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests are considered in determining the matchups. Each MAC-SBC Challenge game will be carried on an ESPN platform.
 
BOBCATS STAFF: FAMILIAR FACES
Ohio returns its entire coaching staff from last season. Associate Head Coach Tavares Jackson joins head coach, Bob Bolden, in his 13th season with the Bobcats. All of Ohio's assistant coaches return this season with Chelsea Welch and Kaylee Gregory Bambule entering their fourth season and Abby Garnett entering her second season. Director of Operations Ebony Pegues enters her fifth season with the program.
 
UP NEXT
The Bobcats will be back in action when they travel to Central Michigan for their conference opener on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET and the game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
 
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