Kiyanna Black scored 32 points in Ohio's 76-68 win over Marshall on Thursday night in the first round of the WNIT.
The 3-pointer gave Kiyanna Black 30 points and the confidence to trot past the Marshall bench with her hand to her ear.
When she finally came to a halt, Black got in a light-hearted conversation with a Marshall fan sitting behind the visiting bench.
“When people do start talking, I like to score buckets,” Black said.
Black was left smiling after that exchange of words. The Marshall fan was left with the reality that Ohio was going to win the game.
And Ohio did, defeating Marshall 76-68 in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament on Thursday night in The Convo — the first non-conference postseason win in program history.
Black has transformed from the best player on a pitiful team, three years ago, to the best player currently on one of Ohio’s best teams in school history.
For as much as Black dominated on Thursday night, whether from 3-point range or perfected no look passes, the win further conveyed how impressive a player Black is and how difficult it will be for coach Bob Boldon and Bobcat fans to say goodbye when the season ends.
“Coming in here I didn’t expect to start my freshman year like the way it did,” Black said, recalling Ohio’s turnaround while she’s been on the team. “Being here those two years where we lost almost every game and being here now and just winning makes everything sweeter.”
Perhaps the program’s transcendence made her 32-point performance even more significant.
With the Bobcats leading 45-43 midway through the third quarter, three-consecutive 3-pointers ultimately gave Ohio enough breathing space to close out the game and prepare for round two of the WNIT.
That’s not to say that Thursday night was a one player performance. Rather, in a convincing team win, it was Black who showcased just a tad more why she’s been the face of Ohio the past four seasons.
“I thought she was awesome,” Boldon said of Black. “I’m gonna miss her.”
At least until Sunday at the earliest, Boldon will still have his star player.
Immediately following the Marshall game, it was announced that Ohio would be hosting Virginia Tech on Sunday afternoon in The Convo. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
{{tncms-asset app="editorial" id="03be39c2-e9f8-11e5-99f3-a74657e5fba5"}}
“I think it’s a big accomplishment for this program to continue to move forward,” Black said. “Just to know that this team hasn’t won a postseason game before is just a little bit exciting and makes things a little bit better."
@charliehatch_
gh181212@ohio.edu
