Bobcats wrap up first round home game

by Blake Whitney
Staff Writer

Throughout the season, the Ohio women’s basketball team has been known for its explosive offense. But Saturday it was able to capture a win on Senior Day thanks to its secret weapon ­ defense.

The Bobcats (12-12 overall, 7-6 Mid-American Conference) forced Buffalo (9-16, 4-10) into 24 turnovers to down the Bulls 70-55 on Saturday, clinching a first-round home game in the MAC Tournament.

Buffalo entered the game ranked No. 1 in the MAC in scoring defense, allowing 59.2 points per game. But it was Ohio’s defense that held the Bulls to under 60 points.

“I felt like we lost a lot of games early in the year because we didn’t play defense, and it seems our team is finally playing the other end of the floor,” Ohio coach Lynn Bria said. “We scrambled out and found shooters and made it very hard for them to score.”

The first half was played at Buffalo’s pace, as the teams combined for 46 first half points. After leading 26-20 at the break, Bria said Ohio was able to push the tempo and take the Bulls out of their comfort zone in the second half.

“We got them to turn it over a lot; sometimes it was just a travel call where they’re having to play at a speed they’re not used to,” Bria said. “Our pressure was so good, and we really played team defense.”

Ohio had 27 points from Buffalo turnovers, compared to 14 Buffalo points from Ohio turnovers.

Guard Cathy Szall led Ohio offensively with 20 points, but both Bria and Buffalo coach Cheryl Dozier said they thought the difference maker offensively was Ohio forward Beckie Fischer, who tallied 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field.

Bria said Fischer was the team’s best post defender, and now she is coming into her own as an offensive player.

“I felt like we did a good job on (forward Lori) Moorman (defensively) so Beckie had some openings to free herself up,” Dozier said. “The backbreaker for us was definitely Fischer coming out offensively and giving them 15 points.”

Guard Candace Bates added 12 points and Moorman had 8 for Ohio.

The win, coupled with Bowling Green’s loss at Marshall on Saturday, guarantees Ohio a first-round MAC Tournament home game.

The Bobcats have won four of five games, and Szall said her sole focus is on getting the team to the MAC Tournament quarterfinals at Gund Arena in Cleveland.

“Just knowing how it felt last year when we got to Cleveland; being in that atmosphere, you want to go back,” she said. “You look forward to that everyday and that’s what motivates you in the summer.”

Guards Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe and Allison Bennett led Buffalo with 10 points each.

Ohio seniors Moorman and Szall will play their final regular season home games as Bobcats as Ohio faces Bowling Green at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Convo.