Bobcats look to gain another MAC win

by Jenny Hugenberg
Staff Writer

The Ohio women's basketball team has traveled to Ball State, trying to hand the Cardinals their first Mid-American Conference loss.

The Bobcats (4-11 overall, 1-3 MAC) are looking to gain another conference win after defeating Buffalo 82-70 Saturday.

Coach Lynn Bria said Ball State (12-3 overall, 4-0 MAC) plays a style of basketball that gives the Bobcats trouble.

"Their style is similar to Bowling Green's," Bria said. "They play a tough zone defense and shoot very well."

The Cardinals average 83.0 points per game and have a .442 shooting percentage. Ohio's shooting percentage has been steadily climbing through the past few games to .456. The Bobcats shot just .400 against Bowling Green. Against Toledo, the Bobcats' percentage jumped up to .531 and then to .581 against Buffalo.

"Our higher shooting percentage will definitely be an advantage for us against Ball State," forward Beckie Fischer said. "Especially when we have players shooting as well as Cathy (Szall) and Ronita (Whitfield) have been."

Szall scored a career-high 28 points against Buffalo Saturday and Whitfield added 16 for the Bobcats.

"We've been shooting more in practice," Fischer said. "We just need to get the ball on the side, which really boosts our percentage."

Guard Andrea Gay said the win against Buffalo and the Bobcats' heightened shooting percentage has boosted the team's confidence.

"We needed that win to get back on track," Gay said. "That along with our percentages is definitely factors for the game against Ball State."

Bria said it is always easier heading onto the court after a win.

"It gives you confidence," she said. "The team has been playing really well together. They've cut their turnovers and have been shooting pretty well."

There are some things the Bobcats need to watch for against Ball State, though.

"They like to shoot so we've really been focusing on rebounding," Gay said. "We are also changing our defense a little to more of a man-on-man so we can stay closer to their shooters."

Game time is 7 tonight at Ball State. The Bobcats stay on the road this weekend and head to Central Michigan.