Ohio has something to prove.
After missing out on the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year, Ohio (27-5, 14-4 Mid-American Conference) looks to make a run in the WNIT. Its quest for the tournament title starts on Thursday when it faces High Point in the first round.
The Bobcats, who felt they should have made the big dance, look forward to proving doubters wrong in tournament play.
“Throughout this whole year, we’ve had something to prove,” senior forward Olivia Bower said. “I think we have the right mindset for Thursday.”
Game Information
Opponent: High Point Panthers (22-8, 15-3 Big South)
Time: 7 p.m.
Venue: The Convo
Watch: ESPN3
Listen: Ohio IMG Sports Network
Ohio’s Opponent
PROJECTED STARTERS
14 Shea Morgan
2 Camryn Brown
10 Emma Bockrath
21 Lindsey Edwards
40 Olivia Vanslooten
RESERVES
13 Skyler Curran
32 Bria Gibson
23 Myia Bull
4 Bre Davis
Individual stat leaders
Points per game: Bockrath (16.3 ppg)
Rebounds per game: Bockrath (7.2 rpg)
Assists per game: Brown (4.8 apg)
Steals: Bockrath (86)
Field goal percentage: Bockrath (.437)
3-point percentage: Brown (.335)
Free throw percentage: Morgan (.825)
Comparing High Point to Ohio
Ohio’s stats in parentheses
Points per game: 72.7 (77.5)
Rebounds per game: 39.9 (36.8)
Steals per game: 11.2 (10.5)
Field goal percentage: .424 (.430)
3-point percentage: .332 (.357)
Free throw percentage: .708 (.698)
Series history
The last time the Bobcats and Panthers faced off was in November 2017, when Ohio welcomed High Point to The Convo for its season opener. Ohio held off High Point for a 64-61 victory. Ohio coach Bob Boldon is 2-0 against the Panthers.
Key player
If Ohio hopes to move onto the second round, it’ll have to contain High Point’s Emma Bockrath. Bockrath does it all for the Panthers. The 5-foot-10 guard is High Point’s best scorer and rebounder and one of its best defenders.
She’ll see many Ohio defenders during her time on the floor, but none will be more daunting than Cece Hooks. Coming off winning the MAC Defensive Player of the Year award, Hooks may have her hands full trying to contain one of the Big South’s best players.
