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ATHENS, Ohio – Happy March, Bobcats! Ohio wrestling heads to MAC Championships, while men's and women's basketball wrap up the regular season with two nationally televised Battle of the Bricks matchups. Check out everything that's ahead for Ohio Athletics in this week's Paw Prints, presented by Memorial Health System.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
March 3 / at UMass / Amherst, Mass. / Mullins Center / 7 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Listen / Ohio Notes / UMass Notes / Digital Guide
March 6 / vs No. 19 Miami / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 9 p.m. ET / ESPN2 / Watch / Live Stats / Listen / Ohio Notes / Miami Notes / Roster Card / Digital Guide / Tickets
The Ohio men's basketball team (15-14, 9-7 MAC) wraps up the 2025-26 regular season this week with two games. The week begins on Tuesday, March 3 when Ohio heads to Amherst, Mass. to take on UMass (15-15, 6-11 MAC). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET inside the Mullins Center and can be seen on ESPN+. Ohio then wraps up the season with a nationally televised matchup with No. 19 Miami (29-0, 16-0) on Friday, March 6. The Battle of the Bricks is set to tip-off at 9 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center. The game can be seen on ESPN2, where Eric Rothman and Mark Adams will have the call.
The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. Jason Toy begins his second season on the mic for the Bobcats and will be joined by veteran and will be joined by veteran college basketball analyst Dave Cecutti. WXTQ (Power 105) in Athens returns as the 11-station net- work's flagship and can be heard on the Varsity Network App.
Ohio is coming off a a 79-67 loss to Toledo on Saturday in Athens. In that game, redshirt junior Javan Simmons scored 20 points and grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds. He went 9-of-10 from the field and 2-of-3 from the line. He also dished out a season-high five assists, had two blocks and one steal. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway added another double double for the Bobcats, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
UMass is 15-15 overall and 6-11 in MAC play and are coming off an 81-62 loss on the road against Bowling Green on Saturday. Ohio defeated UMass 86-63 earlier this season in Athens. UMass is led by Leonardo Bettiol with 17.8 points and 8.0 rebounds a game, while shooting 60.1 percent from the field and 71.5 percent from the line. Marcus Banks, Jr. adds 16.4 points, while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 80.3 percent from the line, while Daniel Hankins-Sanford adds 11.6 points and 7.2 rebounds.
Miami is currently 29-0 overall and 16-0 in MAC play and are coming off a two-point victory at Western Michigan on Friday and will take on Toledo on the road on Tuesday before coming to Athens. Miami defeated Ohio On Feb. 13 in Oxford. Peter Suder leads the RedHawks with 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, while shooting 55.9 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three. Brant Byers adds 14.1 points and 4.0 rebounds, while shooting 48.4 percent from the field, while Eian Elmer adds 12.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
March 4 / at Eastern Michigan / Ypsilanti, Mich. / Gervin GameAbove Center / 6:30 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Ohio Notes / EMU Notes / Digital Guide
March 7 / vs. Miami / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 6 p.m. ET / ESPNU / Watch / Live Stats / Ohio Notes / Miami Notes / Digital Guide / Tickets / Senior Night
The Ohio women's basketball team (15-12, 9-7 MAC) wraps up the 2025-26 regular season with two final games this week. The week begins on Wednesday, March 4 when Ohio leads to Ypsilanti, Michigan. to take on Eastern Michigan (12-15, 5-11 MAC). Tip-off is set fro 6:30 p.m. ET inside the Gervin GameAbove Center and can be seen on ESPN+. The regular season concludes on Saturday, March 7 when Ohio hosts Miami for the Battle of the Bricks and Senior Night. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center and can be seen on ESPNU.
Ohio is coming off an 0-2 week that saw the Bobcats drop two close matches, including an overtime loss at home to Bowling Green and a one-point loss on the road to Ball State. Junior Bailey Tabeling led Ohio with 18.5 points a game, while recording her 1,000th career point on Saturday at Ball Sate. She also added 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and shot 31.7 percent form the field. redshirt sophomore Bella Ranallo added 11.0 points and 3.0 rebounds a game.
Eastern Michigan is currently 12-15 overall and 5-11 in MAC play and are coming off a 70-61 loss at NIU on Saturday, Sisi Eleko leads the Eagles with 17.9 points and 9.9 rebounds a game, while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 77.1 percent from the line. Peyton Hill adds 14.8 points and 4.2 rebounds a ame, while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 81.9 percent from the line. Ohio defeated EMU earlier this season in Athens.
Miami is currently 24-5 and 15-1 in MAC play and are coming off a 74-56 win over Akron on Saturday and will take on the RedHawks on Wednesday before coming to Athens. Miami defeated Ohio earlier this season in Oxford. Miami is led by Amber Tretter with 14.3 points and 8.1 rebounds a game, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 73.0 percent from the line. Amber Scalia adds 13.9 points, while Ilse De Vries averages 12.7 points, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field.
WRESTLING
March 6-7 / at 2026 Mid-American Conference Championships / Buffalo, N.Y. / Alumni Arena / Day 1: 12 p.m. ET; Day 2: 11:30 a.m. ET/ ESPN+ / Watch / Live Results / Championship Central
The Ohio wrestling team is set for the 2026 Mid-American Conference Championships March 7-8 in Buffalo, N.Y. This year's event is hosted by Buffalo inside Alumni Arena and can be seen on ESPN+. Friday's competition is set to begin at Noon ET, while Saturday's matches are set to begin at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Ohio is looking to improve on its sixth-place finish at least year's event, while redshirt senior Garrett Thompson is looking to repeat as MAC Champion at 174-pounds and return to the NCAA Championships. Redshirt senior Sal Perrine is also looking to return to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2022.
The final Division I weight class rankings of the regular season were released on Tuesday (Feb. 24), where four Bobcats are recognized among the best in the country at their weight class.
Raike surged up the rankings this week following a 7-3 decision victory over previously 20th ranked Kaleb Burgess of Buffalo at 157 lbs. in Saturday night's dual. In addition, Perrine and Lehman both recorded technical fall victories at 184 and 197 lbs, respectively.
Pre-seeding is expected to be released early this week.
WOMEN' GOLF
March 2-3 / at 2026 UNCW River Landing Classic/ Wallace, N.C / River Landing / All Day / Live Results
The Ohio women's golf team is back in action March 2-3 when they head to Wallace, N.C. for the 2026 UNCW River Landing Classic. The two-day event, which is hosted by UNCA at Liver Landing, is set to begin on Monday, March 2 with 26 holes. The tournament concludes on Tuesday, March 3 with the final 18 holes.
Teams competing at this year's event are; UNC Asheville, Kennesaw State, Ohio, App State, North Carolina A&T, St. John's, UNCW and William & Mary.
Competing for Ohio this week is; senior Mackenzie McRee, junior Zoe Luebbers, junior Morgan Rodgers, sophomore Ally Turner and freshmen Paige Treherne and Katie Husted.
Ohio last competed Feb. 20-22 at the 2026 Rio Verde Invitational, where they placed eighth overall. As a team, Ohio shot a 301 (+13) on day one of the invitational and finished the day in seventh place. On day two of competition, Ohio shot a 302 (+14) and finished tied for seventh place. On the final day of competition, Ohio finished the invitational tied for eighth-place with a score of 303 (+15), finishing with an overall score of 906 (+42).
Individually, both McRee and Luebbers finished in the top 10, with McRee finishing tied for fourth. On the first day of competition, McRee shot a 75 (+3) and ended the day in 24th place. On day two of competition, McRee shot a 73 (+1) and jumped 15 spots to end the day tied for ninth. McRee finished the invitational with a score of 71 (-1) and climbed five more spots to finish tied for fourth place. McRee finished with an overall score of 219 (+3).
BASEBALL
March 4 / at Pittsburgh / Pittsburgh, Pa. / Charles L. Cost Field / 3 p.m. ET / ACCNX / Watch / Live Stats
March 6 / vs Northern Illinois / Athens, Ohio / Bob Wren Stadium / 3 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Tickets
March 7 / vs Northern Illinois / Athens, Ohio / Bob Wren Stadium / 2 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Tickets
March 8 / vs Northern Illinois / Athens, Ohio / Bob Wren Stadium / 1 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Tickets
The Ohio baseball team (2-10) is back in action for four games this week, including the start of MAC play. The week begins on Wednesday, March 4 when the Bobcats head to Pittsburgh, Pa. to take on Pitt (8-2). First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET at Charles L. Cost Field and can be seen on ACCNX. Ohio then returns to Athens to open MAC play March 6-8 when the Bobcats host Northern Illinois (7-4) at Bob Wren Stadium. The weekend begins on Friday, March 6 at 3 p.m. ET and continues at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. The three game series concludes on Sunday, March 8 at 1 p.m. ET. All three games can be seen on ESPN+.
Ohio is coming off a 1-4 weekend that saw the Bobcats pick up a 12-5 win at Dayton on Sunday afternoon. In that game, senior Reese Harmon went 4-for-5 with two runs scored, redshirt junior junior Cam Bryant went 2-for-6 with a triple, two runs scored and three RBI, while Cameron Boyd and senior Dylan Shepherd both recorded a double and an RBI. On the mound, freshman Mason Gass pitched 6.2 innings and did not allow a run on two hits and struck out five to pick up the win.
Pitt is currently 8-2 overall and is coming off a series sweep of UNC Greensboro this past weekend in Pittsburgh. The Panthers will host Youngstown State on Tuesday before hosting Ohio on Wednesday. AJ Nessler leads Pitt with a .410 batting averages, recording 15 hits, one double, one triple, two home runs and eight RBI, while Trey Fenderson adds a .395 batting average with 15 hits, three doubles, one home runs and 10 RBI. On the mound, Vincent Spizzoucco registers a 1.69 batting average in three starts, allowing three runs on nine hits, while walking two and striking out 17 in 16 innings.
NIU is 7-4 overall and is coming off a 4-1 series win over Lindenwood this past weekend. Marcus Romero is batting .367 with 11 hits, one double, one home run and six RBI, while Cole Smith is batting .348 with 16 hits, seven doubles, three triples, two home runs and 13 RBI. On the mound, Blake Gaskey is 2-0 with five appearances and a 3.27 ERA, while Danny Cihocki has a 1.50 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 18 innings.
SOFTBALL
March 6 / at 2026 Catamount Classic / vs. Penn / Cullowhee, N.C. / Catamount Softball Complex / 10 a.m. ET / Live Stats
March 6 / at 2026 Catamount Classic / vs. Robert Morris / Cullowhee, N.C. / Catamount Softball Complex / 12:30 p.m. ET / Live Stats
March 7 / at 2026 Catamount Classic / vs. Penn / Cullowhee, N.C. / Catamount Softball Complex / 10 a.m. ET / Live Stats
March 7 / at 2026 Catamount Classic / vs. Western Carolina / Cullowhee, N.C. / Catamount Softball Complex / 3 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats
March 8 / at 2026 Catamount Classic / vs. Robert Morris / Cullowhee, N.C. / Catamount Softball Complex / 10 a.m. ET / Live Stats
The Ohio softball team (12-7) is back in action March 6-8 at the 2026 Catamount Classic in Cullowhee, N.C. The Weekend begins on Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. ET when Ohio takes on Penn (6-4), followed by a matchup with Robert Morris (5-4) at 12:30 p.m. ET. Ohio is back in action on Saturday, March 7 with Penn at 10 a.m. ET, before taking on host Western Carolina (10-6) at 3 p.m. ET. That game can be seen on ESPN+. Ohio wraps up the weekend on Sunday, March 8 at 10 a.m. ET when they take on Robert Morris.
Ohio is coming off a 3-2 weekend at the Governors Classic, while in Tennesee, Ohio defeated Stonehill and Southern Indiana, while falling to Austin Peay and Belmont. Senior Colleen Bare hit .500 with seven hits, three doubles, six runs scored and five RBI, while junior Kylie Gorsuch hit .500 with six hits, two doubles, one home run, five runs scored and three RBI.
Penn is currently 6-4 overall and is coming off a 3-2 weekend in Farmville, Va., defeating Hampton, Mount St. Mary's and Youngstown State. Gigi Ganje leads Penn at the plate, hitting .448 with 13 hits, five home runs and 13 RBI, while Delaney Smith is batting .440 with 11 hits, one home run and 11 RBI. In the circle, Ainsley Pemberton is 2-1 overall with a 2.63 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 21.1 innings of work.
Robert Morris is 5-4 overall and is coming off a 3-2 weekend at the Spartan Classic in Spartanburg, S.C. While there, RMU defeated Morgan State and Holy Cross, while falling to USC Upstate and Wofford. Aglaia Rudd leads RMU at the plate, hitting .615 with 16 hits, four doubles, five home runs and 11 RBI, while Eloise Facher is hitting .538 with 14 hits, three home runs, two doubles, one triple and 14 RBI, while scoring 10 runs. In the circle, Sammie Borrayo has a 2.68 ERA with 16 runs, six earned, with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 15.2 innings.
Host Western Carolina is 10-6 overall and is coming off a 2-3 weekend at the Purple & Gold Classic. While there, Western Carolina defeated Lipscomb twice, but fell to Southern Illinois twice and Purdue. Maya McPherson is batting .446 with 25 hits, five doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI, while Sydney Sirks is batting .377 with 20 hits, 15 runs scored, five doubles, one triple, six home runs and 25 RBI. In the circle, Amanda Fulton is 4-3 in 10 appearances, allowing 19 earned runs, 22 walks and 54 strikeout in 47 innings.
#OUohyeah
