Bobcats begin stretch part of schedule

by Lonnie McMillan
Staff Writer

With one more win than they picked up last season, the Ohio women’s basketball team begins a stretch of five games that determines their Mid-American Conference Tournament seeding tonight at Akron.

Both teams are recovering from losses. Ohio (10-12 overall, 5-6 MAC) collapsed in the second half Sunday against Northern Illinois in a 66-57 loss. Akron (1-22, 0-12) did not stand a chance Saturday against Kent State, losing 82-45.

The play of the Zips in the game represents most of their season. Akron has been outscored by an average margin of 22.9 points per game and is last in the MAC in field goal percentage, turnover margin and rebound margin.

No player for the Zips averages double figures. Guard Lindsay Hemmelgarn leads the team at 9.7 points per game, and center Cassandra Martin contributes 9.0 ppg and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Ohio coach Lynn Bria said the team needs to focus on beating Akron.

“We don’t have time for (thinking about the loss),” she said. “We have to move on.”

The Bobcats had little trouble with the Zips in their first meeting, Jan. 2. Ohio led by as much as 27 before disposing of the Zips 75-66.

Ohio brings an explosive offense against Akron. The Bobcats lead the conference in field goal percentage at .466. Guard Cathy Szall (16.0 ppg) and forward Lori Moorman (15.9 ppg) rank third and fourth, respectively, in the MAC in scoring.

The Bobcats might be the clear favorite, but Akron has improved since the Bobcats thumped them in their conference opener. The Zips showed potential by playing close with Western Michigan and Bowling Green, losing to both teams by eight.

Akron is the first of three opponents in a row for Ohio with sub .500 MAC records. Ohio follows the Zips with games against Bowling Green and Buffalo. Ohio’s next three opponents have a combined MAC record of 8-28.

Moorman said Ohio has a chance to turn the season in its favor.

“It’s real important,” she said. “We want to get some momentum going into the tournament.”

Ohio is third in the MAC East and eighth overall. The top three teams get first-round byes in the tournament, while the third through eighth seeded teams receive first-round home games.

The Bobcats are 1 1/2 games behind second-place Miami and 1 1/2 games ahead of Buffalo and Bowling Green in the East.

Ohio and Akron tip off 7 tonight at James A. Rhodes Arena.