Watching the Super Bowl on the bus back from Mt. Pleasant, Mich., on Sunday night probably wasn’t the most exciting experience for the Bobcats, especially after they lost their fifth-consecutive game.
The Bobcats have allowed at least 37 points in the second half during their five-game skid and allowed 44 on Sunday in an 80-63 loss to Central Michigan — the only remaining undefeated team in the Mid-American Conference.
“(Central Michigan) played pretty well and unfortunately we had a hard time guarding them in the second half,” Ohio coach Bob Boldon said. “They’re a good team.”
From the opening tip, the Bobcats were playing catch up with the MAC West leaders, but the closest they got to the Chippewas’ lead was four points.
“All in all, our defensive effort was pretty good,” Boldon said. “(We had) kind of a shaky start and had some turnovers that put our defense in a bad situation but fought through it and finished the (first) half with a solid effort.”
At the break, the Bobcats only trailed 36-28 despite shooting 32 percent from the floor.
Destini Cooper, a freshman forward, impressed Boldon by finishing the afternoon with 15 points and eight rebounds in her reserve role.
“I thought Destini has been fantastic the last 10 days,” Boldon said. “She’s been really efficient and has been as good rebounding the ball for us as anybody.
Tonight was a night where she got 15 but didn’t take a lot of shots to get to 15.”
Cooper went six of nine shooting.
Sophomore guard Kiyanna Black led the Bobcats in scoring with 17 points despite making just five of 17 shots from downtown.
Ohio allowed five opposing players to score double digits for the third straight game.
Junior forward Jas’Mine Bracey led the way for the Chippewas, finishing the game with 18 points and 18 boards. Sophomore guard Da’Jourie Turner came off the bench to record 15 points and three steals.
“I don’t know what (the Chippewas’) record is, but they seem to be a pretty good basketball team, and it’s tough to beat a good team at their place,” Boldon said.
@charliehatch_
gh181212@ohiou.edu
Fast Facts:
Central Michigan (13-8, 9-0) 80
Ohio (8-12, 3-6 MAC) 63
The Bobcats have lost five consecutive games.
Kiyanna Black led Ohio with 17 points, despite six of 20 shooting.
This article appeared in print under the headline "’Cats fall in fifth straight"
