After a faltering and sloppy second-half performance against Appalachian State, in which Ohio was outscored 31-7 in the fourth quarter, Ohio is looking to even its record in its home opener against Dayton (1-1).
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the game:
Game Information
Opponent: Dayton (1-1)
Time: Thursday at 7 p.m.
Location: The Convocation Center (Athens, Ohio)
How to Watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here
Meet the Opponent
Head Coach: Tamika Williams-Jeter (second season)
Probable Starters:
#03 Anyssa Jones
#33 Destiny Bohanon
#10 Ivy Wolf
#23 Mariah Perez
#13 Shannon Wheeler
Statistical Leaders
Points: Jones (14.0 per game)
Rebounds: Smith (15 per game)
Assists: Nayo Lear (3.5 per game)
Blocks: Perez (1.0 per game)
Steals: Bohanon, Wolf (1.5 per game)
Field Goal Percentage: Smith (.750)
Three Point Percentage: Wolf (.400)
Free Throw Percentage: Perez, Wheeler (1.000)
Dayton Notes
Like Ohio, Dayton finished its previous season well under .500, going 7-21 on the season (5-10 A10 Conference). In its upcoming game, Dayton would like to counter a potential repeat of that fate early by pushing themselves to 2-1 on the season against Ohio.
The Flyers' one loss thus far was a predictable one, as well, as they were routed by the, at the time, second-ranked University of Connecticut, being made quick work of in a game that would finish with a score of 102-58. Dayton followed it up with an 18-point win against Lindenwood, evening their record through their first two games.
Dayton likes to attack the interior on offense above all else. This Flyers squad ranks in the top fifty nationally in two-point attempts per game at 48.5 shots from inside the arc on average. However, in terms of size, they aren't the most imposing squad, with the 6 foot 3 inches Perez being the tallest player who has seen substantial time on the floor so far this season. The Bobcats match up well in size and will look to control the ball better against a team that has forced just 25 turnovers through two games, eight less than the Bobcat's 33 total against Appalachian State.
Player to Watch: Arianna Smith
Although the 6 foot 2 inches junior forward came off the bench in the team's win over Lindenwood, Smith was dominant in the 24 minutes she received, scoring 16 points on six-of-eight shooting to go along with 15 rebounds, six of those coming off of her own team's misses.
Keeping Smith off the glass will be essential for the Bobcats, who, aside from simply turning over the ball, struggled to secure possessions with rebounds on both ends of the floor, losing the battle on the glass to Appalachian State 61 to 35.
The Numbers Game
A few key statistics can do a lot to show the differences between the two teams facing off. Here are a few of those potentially game-determining statistical differences.
Turnovers: Ohio (33.0 per game), Dayton (18.5 per game)
Three Pointers Made: Ohio (7.0 per game) per game, Dayton (4.0 per game)
Steals: Ohio (16.0 per game), Dayton (5.0 per game)
Blocks: Ohio (6.0 per game), Dayton (2.0 per game)
Free Throw Percentage: Ohio (.529), Dayton (.756)
