Ohio has the chance to rekindle some of it’s Mid-American Conference magic when it visits Akron Tuesday night.
The highlight of 2012 for the Bobcats is a one-point overtime win against Akron Jan. 19. That win snapped a three-game losing streak, but Ohio was unable to extract momentum from the upset. The team dropped four of its next five games before assembling a solid outing against Ball State Saturday.
The good news for Ohio (11-14, 4-7 MAC) is that it has a shot to rekindle some momentum heading into its final five games when it makes the trip to Akron Tuesday.
The Bobcats will look to keep their hot hand from Saturday, when they shot 60 percent from the field — their best showing since 2001.
With a win, the Bobcats could put themselves in a favorable position heading into a two-game homestand against Bowling Green and Kent State, both of which picked up wins against the Bobcats earlier this season.
“We’ve got five games that could really affect our ranking when we get into the tournament — that’s where it’s really going to affect us,” Ohio senior guard Tenishia Benson said. “So these games now mean a lot.”
The Zips (11-14, 5-6 MAC) beat Western Michigan handily on Saturday for their second straight win. Ohio is expecting to face a more-seasoned and motivated team this time around, as the Zips will be looking to avenge the earlier loss.
“I’m quite sure that Akron leaves a bitter taste in their mouths from their last time out here at Ohio,” Ohio coach Semeka Randall said. “So I can imagine that going back to their court they’re going to have a little attitude, a little swagger, and they will want to remind Ohio that we probably took one from them in their minds.”
Aside from the game’s conference implications, Ohio’s meeting with the Zips will be special for Benson and junior forward Shavon Robinson, both of whom call the Akron area home.
“Even from the game here at home, I know it’s going to be a completely different battle,” Robinson said. “They probably do feel like we stole (the last) one from them.”
Although both players will have plenty of family and friends in attendance, Benson is choosing to keep even an even demeanor for what will be her last game at Rhodes Arena.
“It’s different than it is last year, where I made it a big deal and I don’t think it helped me out,” Benson who could reach 1,000 career points with a 16-point outing, said. “This year it’s just another game. I’m just going to play at a different place than home.”
Robinson, however, is looking to make her teammate’s last memory of her home city a good one by putting more emphasis on the game.
“Especially because it’s her senior year, I want to go out with a bang for her down in our hometown,” Robinson said. “I feel like I’m going to have probably the most emotions that I’ve had all year.”
jr992810@ohiou.edu
