Despite trading points with Massachusetts for the majority of the game and cutting down costly turnovers, offensive woes once again hindered Ohio Thursday, resulting in the team’s fourth consecutive loss.
The Minutemen (2-5) defeated the Bobcats (1-4) 65-61 despite shooting less than 40 percent from the field and turning the ball over 19 times. Ohio’s only lead in the game was 4-3.
“It was a tough game today, but there were clearly a lot of missed layups, which was tribute to our loss,” said Ohio coach Semeka Randall. “In a nutshell, we need to finish and be more physical if we want to end this streak.”
Ohio freshman guard Kiyanna Black scored 21 points off the bench, after having just 21 total points in the first four games. Black shot 9-20 from the field and said getting in rhythm after sinking her first shot
“When I got in the game I made my first shot,” Black said. "When you start making shots its just easier than getting off track and I felt more comfortable today.”
Ohio began the game by missing its first six shot attempts from the field, but with UMass also missing shots, the Bobcats were in contention the entire first half.
However, early turnovers and troubles rebounding and scoring in the paint prevented Ohio from taking the lead, though Ohio finished the half with two more boards than UMass.
After trailing by four points at the break, Ohio allowed UMass to score the first seven points of the second half to extend its lead to 11 points, before the Bobcats went on an 8-0 run of their own.
In the second half, Ohio cut down its turnovers and recorded +11 turnover margin, but couldn't overcome its shooting woes and take the lead.
“It was us in the way of our own self, which is disheartening, because it is things we do to ourselves to break us,” Randall said. “We are getting amazing looks at the basket and we cant beat ourselves us when we miss buckets.”
Th egame was tied at 42 with 13:09 remaining, but UMass pulled away once again.
“I think we are going to have to stick to our principles and know it’s going to take 40 minutes to win a game,” said Ohio guard Shavon Robinson. “It seems that we are a 38-minute team and we have slip-ups in those other two minutes. It’s little things that change the game in a short amount of time.”
The Bobcats and Minutemen both scored 34 points in the second half, as each team went on offensive runs. UMass forward Rashida Timbilla scored 16 points and finished with a game-high 13 rebounds.
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