Ohio travels to Marshall to recover from loss

by Jenny Hugenberg
Staff Writer

The Ohio women's basketball team travels to Marshall today, hoping to recover from its loss at Miami on Saturday.

The Bobcats (6-13 overall, 3-5 Mid-American Conference) are playing their second road game in a row.

"It's tough having two road games in a row in our conference," coach Lynn Bria said. "Especially when we are coming from Miami to Marshall."

Forward Beckie Fischer said the team is pumped up for the game against Marshall (8-10, 2-5), though.

"We ended strong in the game against Miami," Fischer said. "We need to continue that into this game."

With just one more win, Marshall can reach its highest MAC win total in team history.

"Marshall is definitely a beatable team," guard Ronita Whitfield said. "But we can't get too big-headed. They have really improved their record from last year."

Last year Marshall won only eight games; two of those were conference games.

"They are definitely the most improved team in our conference," Bria said. "They penetrate well and rebound very well."

The Thundering Herd has averaged 16.8 offensive rebounds this season, compared to Ohio's 11.9. Because of this, Fischer said Ohio needs to box out and get the defensive boards.

Ohio scored a season-low 53 points and shot only .340 against Miami. This is after the team averaged 95 points in the two previous games and 80 points in the MAC.

"Our offense was a little off-balance against Miami," Bria said. "We've been working on taking good shots. The team hasn't become poor shooters, we just need to work on playing together and our shooting percentage should be fine."

The Bobcats have won seven straight against Marshall and have never lost a MAC game to the Thundering Herd since Marshall joined the conference in 1994. Bria said the Bobcats know what they have to do to beat Marshall.

"We have to play good defense and convert well," she said. "We need to put two halves of good basketball together, which was something we weren't able to do in out last game. Marshall is very streaky; when they get hot, they are a tough team to beat."

The Bobcats take the floor at 7 tonight at Henderson Center in Huntington, W. Va.