ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio women's basketball team (11-5, 5-1 MAC) defeated Northern Illinois (3-14, 1-5 MAC) 66-62 on Saturday, Jan. 17 in the Convocation Center.
 
Overall, the Bobcats shot 39.3 percent from the field, 31.0 percent from the arc and 54.2 percent from the line. Ohio recorded 30 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 steals and three blocks.
 
Individually, junior Bailey Tabeling (Seymour, Ind.) led the Bobcats in points with 15 total; shooting 4-for-9 from the field, 2-for-5 from the arc and 5-for-10 from the line. Tabeling also finished with one assist, three rebounds and a team-high four steals. Freshman ReRe Jennings (Killeen, Texas) recorded a career-high 14 points; shooting 5-for-11 from the field, 3-for-5 from the arc and 1-for-1 from the line. The freshman added three rebounds, two assists and one block. Redshirt sophomore Bella Ranallo (Lake Forest, Ill.) also finished in double figures with 12 points total. Sophomore Dani Scully (Park Ridge, Ill.) led the team in rebounding, matching her career high of eight boards. Junior Antonicia Moultrie (Nassau, Bahamas) tallied a team-high three assists.
 
Both teams struggled in the first quarter, specifically with their shooting. The Huskies outrebounded the Bobcats 13-9, but Ohio was able to keep the game close by forcing seven NIU rebounds. Heading into the second quarter, Northern Illinois led Ohio 11-9.
 
The Bobcats found their footing scoring 22 points in the second quarter, an improvement on their performance from the first 10 minutes of play. Ohio tied the game 20 seconds into the quarter and went back-and-forth with NIU until 6:25 remained. At 4:51, Jennings scored three-straight baskets for Ohio to help the Bobcats retain their lead. Heading into the locker room, the Bobcats led the Huskies 30-22.
 
NIU challenged Ohio's lead in the third quarter. The Huskies closed in on Ohio and even took the lead with 3:20 left on the clock. The Bobcats answered back with two three pointers by Jennings. Ohio concluded the quarter with a steal by Jennings and layup by Scully. The Bobcats led the Huskies 48-43 as the two teams prepared to play the final quarter of the game.
 
Despite being outscored 19-18, the Bobcats held on to their lead throughout the fourth quarter. Tabeling had a big fourth quarter. The junior scored eight points, including two three pointers. Ohio went on to earn a 66-62 victory over Northern Illinois and improve to 5-1 in conference play.
 
The Bobcats will be back in action at Bowling Green on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
 
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