Sometimes, size speaks for itself.
The University of Illinois at Chicago (4-2) had the size advantage over Ohio on Friday and used it to dominate the boards with a 47 to 33 rebounding advantage on its way to a 76-67 victory in the first game of the San Juan Shootout.
The significant disparity on the glass came from defensive boards, as the Flames outrebounded Ohio 34-18 on that end of the court. Ohio also struggled rebounding with when they faced No. 4 Louisville two weeks ago, as the Cardinals outrebounded the Bobcats by 29 boards.
UIC’s efficiency inside the arc was impressive, as they it shot 57 percent on two-point field goals. Standing at six-foot-three and six-foot-one, respectively, sophomore forward Ruvanna Campbell and senior center Katie Hannemann combined 15 to make of their 17 attempts on their way to 38 combined points.
The Bobcats had no answer for the Flames’ bigs, as Campbell led the way with her 24 individual points, while also also pulling down 18 rebounds, while Hannemann finished with 14 points and eight boards.
Flames senior guard Rachel Story also scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds
The key to success for Ohio this season has rested on their ability to knock down shots from behind the arc, but on Friday it finished jut 10-of-31 from downtown. Junior guard Mariah Byard recorded 12 of her team-high 18 points on three-pointers, as she made four of her 10 attempts.
Freshman forward Hannah Boesinger also finished with 18 points, including seven from the free throw stripe. She was the only other Bobcat to make more than one shot from downtown, as she connected three of her three-point attempts.
Boesinger also grabbed a team-high five rebounds, while Quiera Lampkins, Destini Cooper and Byard each finished with four rebounds.
Although each team had multiple players finish with double-digit points, neither Ohio nor UIC made more than 55 percent of their free throw attempts. In general, the shots didn’t fall for the Bobcats, as they shot just 34 percent, while the Flames shot 53 percent.
Despite the loss, Ohio committed fewer fouls and turnovers than UIC. The Bobcats’ bench also outscored the Flames’ 24-9, but Ohio’s lone lead of the contest was the game’s first basket, as UIC controlled the game the remainder of the contest.
Friday was the first time in five seasons Ohio played a game away from the United States mainland. The Bobcats previously competed in Cancun in 2008.
Ohio will resume play on Saturday when they take on No. 8 Maryland Terrapins in the second game of the tournament at Morales Coliseum.
ak840511@ohiou.edu
@Kovarandrew
