Bowling Green bests Bobcats

by Michael Canan
THE POST

It was déjà vu when the Ohio women's basketball team lost 70-65 to Bowling Green last night.

Ohio (10-14 overall, 5-8 in the Mid-American Conference) also lost by five points when the two teams met on Jan. 15. The Bobcats lost that game 79-74.

They also gave up at least 70 points to the Falcons (7-16, 5-8) for the second time this season. Both losses were partially caused by an abundance of turnovers.

When the two teams hooked up on Jan. 15, Bowling Green guard Angie Farmer had a big night, scoring a career-high 24 points and shooting 6 of 10 from beyond the three-point arc. She put up big numbers once again for the Falcons, scoring 22 points, 19 of which came in the first half. Again, she was 6 of 10 from three-point land.

Farmer started things off for the Falcons, scoring 11 straight points to begin the game. After a basket by Ohio forward Beckie Fischer, Farmer drained another three.

Falcons guard Francine Miller hit a basket and a three pointer to put Bowling Green up 16-2 with nearly 15 minutes left in the half.

Farmer then connected again from beyond the arc to put Bowling Green up 22-5.

But Ohio stormed back. Guard Heather Laughlin nailed a three pointer for Ohio - her second of the game - to start a 16-5 run.

By the end of the half, Ohio had trimmed the Bowling Green lead to 35-29.

Ohio center Lori Moorman started the scoring in the second half with a pair of free throws to cut the Falcon lead to four points, but Bowling Green answered with a quick 10-0 run that included three pointers by Farmer and Miller.

Trailing 51-37 with just more than 12 minutes left in the game, the Bobcats began to put a big dent in the Bowling Green lead. They went on a 22-7 run led by Laughlin and Fischer, who powered the Bobcats back into the game.

Guard Khisha Asubuhi's three pointer with less than 5:30 left in the game gave Ohio a short-lived 59-58 lead.

Bowling Green guard Kim Griech returned the lead to the Falcons when she buried a three, and the Falcons built their lead back up with a pair of free throws by Miller and a three pointer by forward Dana Western. Bowling Green extended its lead to 66-59.

After a Fischer free throw, Ohio wing Cathy Szall received the ball off a Bowling Green turnover and nailed a three pointer with :54 left in the game to bring the score to 66-63 in favor of the Falcons.

Ohio opted to try to cause a turnover instead of immediately fouling. The plan backfired - Ohio did not force a turnover and failed to foul until 35 seconds remained. Szall fouled Miller, who hit both free throws to give the Falcons a 68-63 lead.

Moorman quickly connected for Ohio to cut the deficit back to 68-65. Ohio nearly came away with a steal but the loose ball was called a jump ball with possession going to Bowling Green.

Miller hit one of two free throws with :18 left to put Bowling Green ahead by four points, but Ohio guard Jacquie Negrelli then turned the ball ending the team's final threat.

Bowling Green finished with another free throw to give it a 70-65 win.

The game hurt the Bobcats in their quest to gain home-court advantage for the first round of the MAC Tournament. Ohio was one game ahead of Bowling Green, but now falls behind them because despite the even records - Bowling Green beat Ohio twice in head-to-head play.

The regular season will not get any easier for Ohio as it plays three of the top teams in the MAC in Kent, Toledo and Miami.

Farmer led all scorers with her 22 points. Miller scored 15 points for the Falcons, and Sherry Kahle grabbed nine rebounds while chipping in seven points and five assists.

Fischer scored a career-high 15 points and Laughlin also scored 15 points and had eight rebounds. Moorman scored 14 points.

Negrelli, Ohio's leading scorer this season was held to only two points in the game.

Ohio resumes play on Feb. 19 when it plays host to Kent at 3 p.m at The Convo.