Bobcats ready to ride and rope Broncos

by Lonnie McMillan
Staff Writer

The Ohio women’s basketball team looks to climb above the .500 mark tonight when they take on the Western Michigan Broncos.

Ohio (8-8 overall, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) is coming off a home victory against Central Michigan Saturday that ended a two-game slide.

Western Michigan (8-10, 5-1) is the winner of four straight MAC games, including a 77-69 win at Akron Jan.19. Forward Kristin Koetsier scored 18 points and pulled down 15 rebounds against the Zips. She earned MAC West Player of the Week honors for the effort. Koetsier leads the Broncos in scoring and rebounding at 15.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

Ohio coach Lynn Bria said containing Koetsier will be a chore.

“They’ve got a great post player,” Bria said. “We’re going to have to make some adjustments on her, but I think they’re going to have to make some adjustments on us as well.”

Ohio counters with guard Candace Bates, the MAC East Player of the Week. She averaged 19.5 points per game in Ohio’s last two games and is averaging 12.5 ppg this season.

Guard Cathy Szall is second in the MAC in points scored with 17.5 ppg. Forward Lori Moorman contributes 15.6 ppg to the potent Ohio offense.

Defense, though, might be the key in the game. Beside Koetsier, forward Karen Duerloo and guard Casey Rost are cogs of the Western Michigan offense. Duerloo and Rost contribute 14.2 and 14.1 ppg respectively for the Broncos.

Bria said Ohio forward Erin Isbell should play a large part in stopping the Broncos.

“She (Isbell) will play a big role,” Bria said. “What she doesn’t have in size she makes up in strength and determination. You can’t help but notice Erin when she plays.”

Isbell said she would try to do her part in shutting down the Broncos trio of offensive threats.

“If anything I can go in there and slide all over the floor,” she said. “When we play good defense, it helps our offense, so I’m on the floor, trying to get steals.”

Ohio dropped two tough home games against Miami and Ball State before defeating the Chippewas Saturday. Szall said the team is looking to steal a road win.

“This is a big game for us to come back and play well, especially after losing two at home,” she said. “And Western, you’ve got to play well against that kind of team.”

Ohio battles Western Michigan at 7 tonight in Kalamazoo, Mich.