Falcons ruin home finale

by Blake Whitney
Staff Writer

After being torched for 44 combined points from Ohio guard Cathy Szall and forward Lori Moorman in a 78-69 loss in the team’s first meeting, Bowling Green coach Curt Miller decided if his team was going to lose, it would be because someone else stepped up.

His plan worked -barely.

Despite 13 points and a career-high 16 rebounds from forward Erin Isbell, Ohio (12-13 overall, 7-7 Mid-American Conference) fell 57-56 to Bowling Green (8-18, 5-10) yesterday at The Convo.

"We wanted Erin Isbell to beat us tonight,"Miller said."And she almost did -so give her credit."

Aside from Isbell, Moorman and Szall, the rest of the Bobcats hit 4-of-22 field goals, and Ohio made 4-of-23 three-pointers.

"We can't shoot that and win against the zone,"Ohio coach Lynn Bria said.

The game stayed close in the first half. Bowling Green led during the first half by as much as eight before Ohio closed the gap to 28-27 at the break.

The close contest continued well into the second half. After Bowling Green tied the game at 39 with 12:12 remaining, neither team led by more than two until the final two minutes.

Then the drama began.

Two free throws from guard Andrea Johnson with 1:56 remaining gave Ohio a 56-53 lead-but the Bobcats would not score again.

Leading by a point, Moorman missed a free throw and then fouled Bowling Green forward Stefanie Wenzel on the rebound. Moorman fouled out, and Wenzel hit both free throws to give the Falcons a 57-56 lead with 23 seconds left.

Bria said Moorman’s foul hurt the team in several ways.

"I think with four fouls and a minute and a half left, you should stay in the game,"she said. "We don’t need that foul. She comes out of the game, and they go down the court and hit two free throws."

Ohio had a shot to win the game, inbounding the ball on its side of the court with five seconds left. Bowling Green keyed on Szall.

"With Moorman out you absolutely know Szall’s wanting the ball,"Miller said. "The last play of the game we were willing to run four people at her."

Moorman did get the ball, but the defense collapsed on her, forcing a turnover as time expired. Ohio lost for the first time in three games.

Ohio’s next game is Saturday at Miami. Tipoff between the Bobcats and RedHawks is set for 2 p.m. at Millett