There is a saying in sports that “numbers never lie.” But if that’s the case, Ohio’s eight-game losing streak might be an exception.
Although the Bobcats have struggled on paper to produce positive results, the team has shown some improvement in its last couple outings.
“Our job is to win games — make no mistake about it,” said Ohio coach Bob Boldon. “You might argue that game against Toledo was the best game we’ve played under the conditions … but from an effort standpoint it was the best effort I think we’ve given throughout a game.”
A major factor in the Bobcats’ improvement has been the return of junior guard Mariah Byard, who had been out with a hand injury since Jan. 9. Ohio won only two of eight games in her absence.
“Having Mariah back kind of manipulates defenses a little bit,” Boldon said. “It puts more pressure on them to get out, and (sophomore guard Kiyanna Black) has been shooting the ball pretty well, so we were able to stretch them out, which left us with some one-on-one opportunities in the post.”
Byard was the leading scorer for the Bobcats in Saturday’s 62-58 loss on the road against Toledo, finishing the afternoon with 17 points.
With Byard back in Ohio’s lineup, the Bobcats have been able to feed the ball to forwards such as sophomore Lexie Baldwin and freshmen Destini Cooper, Hannah Boesinger and Jasmine Weatherspoon.
Baldwin has averaged 7.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest over the course of the season. When Byard returned Saturday, Baldwin had 15 points and nine boards.
With Byard back, the Bobcats have regained their floor general — a role that they lacked during the slide.
Unnecessary fouls and costly turnovers, however, have held Ohio back recently.
“From a coaching standpoint you say, ‘Gosh, I need to do a better job of not turning it over and not fouling as much,’” Boldon said after the loss to Toledo.
Baldwin and Cooper fouled out Saturday, and Black, Boesinger and freshman forward Quiera Lampkins had four fouls each. As a result, Toledo went to the free throw line 28 times in comparison to Ohio’s 16 trips.
In its last three games Ohio has turned the ball over 56 times, in comparison with its opponents losing the ball nine fewer times.
@charliehatch_
gh181212@ohiou.edu
This article appeared in print under the headline "Returning player aids ’Cats"
