Basketball is often a game of runs and the Bobcats are in the midst of their worst run of the season after losing nine consecutive games.
The streak dates back to Jan. 15 when Ohio posted a sound 76-59 win against Kent State, which extended the Bobcats’ winning streak to three straight games. However, Ohio hasn’t won since then.
On Saturday, Ohio will attempt to stop its skid against Akron in The Convo. And despite losing nine games straight, the Bobcats have improved during their past two games by showing signs of life, unlike last year when they lost 16 of their final 17 games.
Before the game, Ohio will hold senior day ceremonies for guards Erin Bailes and Olivia McCuskey, who have not played this season because of injuries.
Bailes was the Bobcats’ leading scorer in 2012-13 when she averaged 10.6 points per game.
Although the seniors won’t be suited up to take the court, Ohio hopes to send them off with a win against Akron’s high-powered offense, which averages a MAC-best 83 points per game and has been held to fewer than 70 points just twice.
“We’ll have our hands full,” coach Bob Boldon said. “They beat us pretty soundly at their place, but it’s a young team and we’ll continue to try to learn. We’ll try to learn from this as much as any game we play and hopefully we’ll get a little bit better.”
One of those players that will keep the Bobcat defense’s hands full is senior forward Rachel Tecca, the defending MAC player of the year. She is putting together another solid season for the Zips averaging 24 points to go along with almost 10 rebounds per game. In the teams’ first meeting, Ohio held Tecca to just 13 points.
But the Zip that the Bobcats couldn’t contain in the first contest was senior guard Hanna Luburgh, who dropped a game-high 28 points. She has averaged 23 points and seven rebounds per game.
This duo will be hard for Ohio to stop, as potent offenses have given the Bobcats fits all season. In order to stick with the Zips, Ohio will need to score with them and that means great guard play all around.
Freshman guard Quiera Lampkins began the season strong and found her niche penetrating the paint, but her production has tailed off lately, as she’s scored just a combined 15 points in the last three games. Her lack of scoring has left more responsibilities for sophomore Kiyanna Black and junior guard Mariah Byard, who returned from an injury and scored 17 points last Saturday.
@Kovarandrew
ak840511@ohiou.edu
Up Next:
Who: Akron (16-8, 10-3 MAC) vs. Ohio (8-16, 3-10 MAC)
Where: The Convo
When: 2 p.m. Saturday — The Bobcats have lost their past nine games
