CLEVELAND – The No. 5 seed Ohio women's basketball team (18-12, 11-7 MAC) is set to play No. 1 Miami (26-6, 16-2 MAC) in the semifinals of the 2026 MAC Tournament on Friday, March 13. Tip-off is set for 10 a.m. ET and the game will be available to watch on ESPN+. Fans will also be able to listen on the Varsity App and/or on 97.3 FM WATH.
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Fans may purchase tickets to the women's tournament directly through Rocket Arena. If you have any questions regarding women's basketball tournament tickets, contact Rocket Arena at (216) 420-2200. 
 
OHIO BOBCAT CLUB & OHIO UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION RECEPTIONS
The Ohio Bobcat Club and the Ohio University Alumni Association will co-host pregame receptions at The Clevelander Bar & Grill (834 Huron Road East, Cleveland, Ohio) prior to all Ohio men's and women's basketball games at the 2026 MAC Tournament. Pending advancement, receptions will begin two hours prior to tipoff and conclude 30 minutes before game time. 

Reception tickets are $10 and can be purchased by clicking here. Appetizers and a cash bar will be provided, and the events are open to the public. 

If you have general questions about the pregame receptions, contact CJ Harris at harrisc10@ohio.edu. If you need assistance with registration, contact Advancement Events at eventsadv@ohio.edu. 

Fans can visit Ohio's Championship Central page for the most up-to-date information regarding tickets, parking, schedules and event details.
 
SCOUTING MIAMI
No. 1 seed Miami has a 26-6 overall and 16-2 conference record heading into its MAC semirfinals game against No. 5 seed Ohio.
 
The RedHawks average 70.8 PPG; shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from the arc and 75.7 percent from the line. Miami averages 32.7 rebounds, 16.0 assists, 10.8 steals and 3.8 blocks per game. The RedHawks have forced 20.3 turnovers per game and average 20.3 points off turnovers.
 
Miami's opponents average 58.7 PPG; shooting 38.3 percent from the field, 30.9 percent from the arc and 72.7 percent from the line. Opponents average 34.5 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 7.8 steals and 2.9 blocks per game. Opponents have forced 15.5 turnovers per game and average 13.4 points off turnovers.
 
SCOUTING OHIO
No. 5 seed Ohio has a 18-12 overall and 11-7 conference record heading into its MAC semifinals game against No. 1 Miami.
 
The Bobcats average 75.0 PPG; shooting 40.5 percent from the field, 32.8 percent from the arc and 66.1 percent from the line. Ohio averages 37.1 rebounds, 13.9 assists, 11.8 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. The Bobcats have forced 21.3 turnovers per game and average 21.7 points off turnovers.
 
Ohio's opponents average 71.2 PPG; shooting 40.3 percent from the field, 31.9 percent from the arc and 70.3 percent from the line. Opponents average 42.1 rebounds, 15.6 assists, 8.0 steals and 3.2 blocks per game. Opponents have forced 17.5 turnovers per game and average 15.7 points off turnovers.
 
LAST TIME VS MIAMI
This is the third meeting between Ohio and Miami this season. The two teams first met on Jan. 31 when the RedHawks defeated Bobcats, 90-70. Ohio and Miami played again at the end of the regular season with the Bobcats defeating Miami, 77-62.
 
ALL TIME VS MIAMI
Miami leads Ohio in the two team's all-time series, 42-63. The Bobcats have won four of their last 10 meetings.
 
LAST TIME OUT
TThe No. 5 seed Ohio women's basketball team (18-12, 11-7 MAC) took down No. 4 seed Central Michigan, 89-88, in a tough battle on Wednesday, March 11. With the victory, the Bobcats will advance to the semifinals and face off with No. 1 seed Miami on Friday, March 13.
 
Ohio shot 45.5 percent from the field, 43.3 percent from the arc and 88.9 percent from the line. The Bobcats finished with 29 rebounds, 20 assists, eight steals and three blocks.
 
Junior Bailey Tabeling had her best game of the season so far, scoring a career-high 33 points. Tabeling shot 12-for-19 from the field, 5-for-9 from the arc and 4-for-4 from the line. The junior also added three assists, two rebounds and two steals.
 
Junior Asiah Baxter (Indianapolis, Ind.) and redshirt sophomore Monica Williams (Indianapolis, Ind.) also finished in double figures, scoring 14 and 11 points each.
 
Graduate student Elli Garnett recorded a team-high 10 rebounds in addition to a team-high seven assists.
 
Both teams got off to a fast start. The Bobcats and Chippewas both got on the board within the first minute of play. With 7:15 on the clock, Ohio took a 9-6 lead over Central Michigan. The Chippewas stole the lead, 13-12, with back-to-back baskets with just over five minutes to go. A layup by Tabeling at 4:13 put the Bobcats up 16-13 over the Chippewas. Ohio extended its lead to 21-13 with 2:50 to play in the first quarter. The Chippewas caught up and cut the Bobcats' lead to 21-18 with 1:33 left on the clock. At the end of the first, Ohio led Central Michigan 27-20.
 
Neither team scored for almost the first two minutes of the second quarter. Ohio led Central Michigan 30-24 with 7:19 to go. The Bobcats extended their lead to 37-28 with 5:36 left in the quarter. Ohio retained its lead despite the late success of Central Michigan's offense. The Chippewas cut the Bobcats' lead to 48-43 by the end of the first half.
 
Central Michigan outscored Ohio 24-22 and dominated the boards in the third quarter. Ohio was up 59-56 with just under five minutes to go in the quarter. The Chippewas took a 63-62 lead over the Bobcats with 3:45 left on the clock. Ohio retook its lead, 65-63, off a three pointer by Tabeling. The Bobcats maintained their lead over the Chippewas the end of the quarter. Heading into the fourth, Ohio led Central Michigan 70-68.
 
It was an extremely close fourth quarter with Central Michigan taking a 76-73 lead over Ohio with 3:52 left in the game. Tabeling tied the game, 76-76, off a three pointer with 3:04 to go. The two team traded baskets back-and-forth and were tied 78-78 with 2:18 to play. A layup by Baxter put the Bobcats up with just over 30 seconds left in the game. Ohio defeated Central Michigan 89-88, advancing to the next round of the MAC Tournament.
 
BOBCATS ADVANCE TO MAC SEMIFINALS
Behind a career-high 33 points by Bailey Tabeling, the Bobcats defeated Central Michigan 89-88 to advance to the semifinals of the MAC Tournament for the first time since the 2020-21 season. No. 5 seed Ohio is scheduled to face No. 1 Miami in the semifinals.
 
#CLINCHED: THE ROAD TO CLEVELAND
Despite being picked to finish 10th in the 2025-26 MAC Preseason Poll, Ohio will be the No. 5 seed at the 2025-26 MAC Women's Basketball Tournament. No. 5 seed Ohio will face No. 4 Central Michigan in the quarterfinals, scheduled for approximately 1:30 p.m. ET. The tournament will take place March 11-14 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
 
After not seeing success for several seasons and missing out on the 2024-25 MAC Tournament, the team has exceeded expectations with a 18-12 overall record and 11-7 conference record. Ohio has more than doubled its win total from the 2024-25 season and has won its most games since the 2019-20 season. In addtion, the Bobcats have won 11 conference games for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
 
TABELING NAMED TO 2025-26 ALL-MAC SECOND TEAM
Junior Bailey Tabeling (Seymour, Ind.) has been selected to the 2025-26 All-Mid-American Conference Second Team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday, March 10.
 
After another season as one of Ohio's top performers, Tabeling has been named to the All-MAC Second Team. Tabeling started and played in 29 games; accumulating 877 minutes played while averaging 30.2 minutes per game. The junior averaged 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game in regular season play. Tabeling finished the regular season shooting 38.4 percent from the field, 31.5 percent from the arc and 75.8 percent from the line.
 
TEAM STATISTICAL CATEGORY LEADERS (TOP 3)
Points: Bailey Tabeling (443/14.8 PG), Bella Ranallo (324/11.2 PG), Elli Garnett (237/8.5 PG)
FG Made: Bailey Tabeling (146), Bella Ranallo (103), Aliah McWhorter (86)
3PT Made: Bailey Tabeling (78), Bella Ranallo (46), Elli Garnett (38)
FT Made: Bailey Tabeling (73), Bella Ranallo (72), Monica Williams (58)
Rebounds: Elli Garnett (155/5.5 PG), Asiah Baxter (140/4.7 PG), Bailey Tabeling (118/3.9 PG)
Assists: Bailey Tabeling (93), Elli Garnett (56), Monica Williams (53)
Blocks: Bailey Tabeling (16), ReRe Jennings (15), Antonicia Moultrie (14),
Steals: Bailey Tabeling (70), Bella Ranallo (56), Asiah Baxter (45)
Minutes Played: Bailey Tabeling (913/30.4 PG), Asiah Baxter (812/27.1 PG), Bella Ranallo (724/25.0 PG)
 
BAILEY TABELING: YEAR THREE
Ohio's standout player Bailey Tabeling is playing her third season with the Bobcats. Tabeling has been a vital player for Ohio's offense since her freshman season. The junior finished her first season (2023-24) with 260 points (8.7 PG); shooting 45.8 percent from the field, 40.9 percent from the arc and 76.1 percent from the line. In her second season (2024-25), Tabeling recorded an impressive 361 points (12.4) and led the team in rebounds, assists and steals.
 
Tabeling is a threat in the paint, at the free throw line and especially beyond the arc. The junior currently leads the team with 443 points (14.8 PG); shooting 39.7 percent from the field, 32.4 percent from the arc and 76.8 percent from the line. Tabeling has recorded 22 double-figure point games this season including five 20-point games and one 30-point game. She has led the team in multiple statistical categories throughout multiple games this season. The junior recently reached 1,000 career points - all while playing at Ohio - with 19 points against Ball State (2/28).
 
BELLA RANALLO: FROM CLEMSON TO OHIO
Redshirt sophomore Bella Ranallo joined the Bobcats after spending two seasons at Clemson. Prior to Ohio, Ranallo had only played nine minutes across seven games. Since her arrival to Athens, Ranallo has become a top performer for the Bobcats at the point. She has recorded 324 points (11.2 PG), 87 rebounds (3.0 PG), 43 assists and 56 steals. Ranallo has started and played in 29 games, averaging 25.0 minutes per games.
 
BAXTER & MCWHORTER: UNSUNG HEROES
Junior Asiah Baxter and graduate student Aliah McWhorter are among Ohio's top returners from the 2024-25 season. Both players offer the team veteran experience and leadership on the court.
 
Baxter has started and played in all 30 games this season, compiling 812 minutes played (27.1 PG). She has scored 216 points (7.2 PG) this season; shooting 42.4 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from the arc and 74.1 percent from the line. Baxter has compiled 140 rebounds (4.7 PG), 37 assists, 45 steals and six blocks.
 
McWhorter started and played in 28 games, compiling 670 minutes played (23.9 PG). She has scored 222 points (7.9 PG); shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from the arc. McWhorter has also compiled 76 rebounds (2.7 PG), 39 assists, 23 steals and 12 blocks.
 
GARNETT SISTERS, A FAMILY AFFAIR
Graduate student Elli Garnett is capping off her college career in the best way, with her sister as her coach. Elli is the younger sister of former player and current assistant coach, Abby Garnett (2018-2023). Abby is in her second season as an assistant coach at Ohio.
 
Elli joined the Bobcats after previously playing at Nicholls State. During the the 2025-26 season, Elli has been an impactful player for Ohio, bringing veteran experience to the starting lineup. Elli has started and played in 28 games, averaging 22.2 minutes per game. Elli currently has 237 points (8.5 PG), 155 rebounds (5.5), 56 assists, 26 steals and nine blocks.
 
WELCOME BACK, MONICA WILLIAMS
After missing majority of the 2024-25 season due to an injury, redshirt sophomore Monica Williams is back to being a top player for the Bobcats. Williams has played in 29 games, starting in one, and compiled 549 minutes played (18.9 PG). Coming off the bench this season, she has recorded 205 points (7.1 PG), 74 rebounds (2.6 PG), 53 assists, 39 steals and seven blocks. Williams has recorded eight double-figure points games this season. She has led the team in assists in three games and in steals in seven games this season.
 
IN-SEASON INDIVIDUAL & TEAM ACCOLADES
MAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:
   Bailey Tabeling (Tuesday, Jan. 7) - Sport Management, 3.502 GPA
 
TOP 25 NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS (THRU GAMES ON 3/11)
TEAM RANKINGS:
   Bench Points Per Game: Ohio, 22nd (25.8 PG)
   Three Point Attempts Per Game: Ohio, 2nd (30.9 PG)
   Three Pointers Per Game: Ohio, 4th (10.1 PG)
   Free Throw Attempts Per Game: Ohio, 20th (21.53 PG)
   Steals Per Game : Ohio, 14th (11.8 PG)
   Turnovers Forced Per Game : Ohio, 20th (21.33 PG)
 
 MAC RANKINGS: OVERALL STATS (THRU GAMES ON 3/11)
TEAM RANKINGS (TOP 5):
   Points: Ohio, 3rd (2249)
   Points Per Game: Ohio, 2nd (75.0 PPG)
   FG Made: Ohio, 4th (759)
   3PT Percentage: Ohio, 4th (.328)
   3PT FG Made: Ohio, 1st (304)
   3PT FG Made Per Game: Ohio, 1st (10.1 PG)
   Free Throw Made: Ohio, 5th (427)
   Turnover Margin: Ohio, 3rd (+3.87)
   Opponent Turnovers: Ohio, 2nd (651)
   Opponent Turnovers Per Game: Ohio, 1st (21.3 PG)
   Blocks: Ohio, 5th (89)
   Blocks Per Game: Ohio, 5th (2.97 PG)
   Assists: Ohio, 5th (417)
   Assists Per Game: Ohio, 5th (13.90 PG)
   Steals: Ohio, 2nd (353)
   Steals Per Game: Ohio, 1st (11.77 PG)
 
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS (TOP 10):
   Points: Bailey Tabeling, 9th (443)
   Points Per Game: Bailey Tabeling, 9th (14.8 PG)
   3PT FG Made: Bailey Tabeling, 2nd (78)
   3PT FG Made Per Game: Bailey Tabeling, 2nd (2.6)
   Assist/Turnover Ratio: Bailey Tabeling, 8th (1.3)
   Steals:
Bailey Tabeling, 5th (70)
Bella Ranallo, 9th (56)
   Steals Per Game:
Bailey Tabeling, 5th (2.3)
Bella Ranallo, 9th (1.9)
 
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.
 
#OUohyeah