Traveling from Ohio to Miami is a westerly route. One goes east for the return trip. But for both women’s basketball teams this season, the main direction of travel was south.
Ohio and Miami have found victories to be sparse during the 2010-11 season. The squads have identical 3-12 Mid-American Conference records, making this year’s season finale a contest to avoid last place.
The Bobcats (7-21, 3-12 MAC) ended a five-game skid by beating the RedHawks in Oxford Jan. 18. This time around, Ohio looks to end a six-game slide that includes three straight losses by six points or fewer.
Miami (11-17, 3-12 MAC) started the season 10-7 before dropping the 69-56 decision to Ohio. The loss began a 10-game losing streak for the RedHawks. They pulled out of their freefall with a 13-point win against Akron Saturday.
“Miami’s probably in the same boat as us, having a very young team and trying to mature and grow up and understand the concept as playing,” coach Semeka Randall said.
“I just think it makes the rivalry sweeter to have those bragging rights and want to try to, in your mind, finish the season as strong as possible,” she said.
Although Senior Day took place Jan. 19, tonight’s contest marks the final game at The Convo for seniors Thia Gholson and Kamille Buckner. Still hindered by a knee injury, Gholson will not suit up for the sixth time in seven games.
“It always sucks when you lose a player, no matter who it is,” Buckner said. “Knowing that she physically can’t do it right now, it just makes me want to play harder for her. A lot of times, we waste the opportunity to play the game.”
The forwards have formed a close friendship during their four years at Ohio. Gholson said she has enjoyed watching Buckner mature on the court.
“Off the court, we call each other ‘sister,’ so that’s pretty much how it is,” Gholson said. “I love her like a sister.”
With two blocked shots tonight, Buckner will pull into a tie with former Bowling Green standout Liz Honegger for the third-most blocks in MAC history. Current Buffalo senior Kourtney Brown is second on the list.
“I’ve put a lot of hard work on this floor,” Buckner said. “I just want to have fun my last time playing out here. I want to have a good time.”
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