An Ohio win on Monday against Cleveland State would match last season’s total wins.
Although Monday’s bout with Cleveland State is the last non-conference game of the season, it has the billing to be a leap forward for a program with a youthful roster.
A win against the Vikings would be Ohio’s ninth this campaign, matching the team’s total wins during the 2013-14 season, when it went 9-21 in Bob Boldon’s first year.
Despite the second-year coach constantly reiterating it’s too early in the season to get carried away with a 9-2 record, it’s also important acknowledging the general mood surrounding The Convo as more upbeat and optimistic, something foreign to most of the roster.
Two seasons ago, senior Mariah Byard, redshirt junior Kat Yelle and juniors Lexie Baldwin and Kiyana Black were part of a squad that finished 6-23, the worst year in school history.
Fast forward to this November and the Bobcats started off 6-0, their best start since 1985.
“Last year we all had the same goal, but we weren’t willing to go through everything to achieve that goal. We complained a lot,” sophomore guard Quiera Lampkins said. “This year we go through the aches and pains to achieve this same goal. We are wiser, stronger and we want to win.”
At Cleveland State last December, the Vikings beat Ohio 76-64 in a game where Lampkins recorded her first career double-double, recording 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Heading into Monday night, Lampkins will enter the contest averaging 14 points and 7.9 rebounds this season, with four double-doubles and a MAC East player of the week accolade announced on Dec. 15.
She was also the GSU Holiday and Hoops most valuable player from Ohio’s most recent games in Atlanta, where the Bobcats beat La Salle and Massachusetts.
What’s hurt the team however, has been the Bobcats’ lack of size and presence down low snagging loose balls.
During the 6-0 run, Boldon insisted his team would face bigger opponents as the season progressed. In both losses, size was the big difference and ultimately decided the outcome.
Lampkins noted the team needs to box out on rebounds and minimize second-chance opportunities for opponents.
“[A win] would ensure we are a better team than last year and that we have the opportunity to have a winning season,” she said.
@charliehatch_
gh181212@ohio.edu
