Ohio (11-8, 5-5 Mid-American Conference) traveled to DeKalb, Illinois, to take on Northern Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon but was pushed back due to travel delays related to inclement weather. It was the second time Ohio faced Northern Illinois (9-11, 6-6 MAC) this season.
Despite going point-for-point in three quarters, the Bobcats were doomed by an unproductive second quarter and fell to the Huskies 80-70.
Ohio fared better compared to its previous game against Northern Illinois, however. When the two teams first faced off in early January, Ohio trailed for the entire game and began its MAC schedule with a three-point loss.
The Bobcats were outplayed by the Huskies again, and they’ve been knocked down to seventh place in the conference standings. Here are the numbers to know from the Bobcats’ loss to the Huskies:
25
The Bobcats limped into Sunday’s game without two of their usual starters. Kaylee Bambule and Gabby Burris were not in the lineup due to COVID-19 protocols. To bolster the lineup, Hunter Rogan was brought in for her first career start.
Rogan had received limited time on the court in her previous three games but was given the greenlight against Northern Illinois. While she didn’t score, she notched five rebounds and one assist. She spent 20 minutes on the court, which tied a season high she set in Ohio’s previous game against Northern Illinois.
5
Both Yaya Felder and Madi Mace fouled out against Northern Illinois. Ohio has dealt with a limited roster this season due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols, and two starters fouling out only inflamed the problem. Felder and Mace fouled out within two minutes of each other in the fourth quarter, and their removal left Ohio with five total players to close out the game.
Ohio only traveled to Northern Illinois with seven players. While this gave bench players more time, it highlighted Ohio’s lack of depth. Ohio was already strapped for substitutes, and it worsened when players fouled out.
57.1
Alexandra Antonova boosted Ohio’s 3-point performance. The redshirt sophomore shot 57.1% from beyond the arc Sunday, and she knocked down shots when Ohio needed points on the board.
Antonova scored a career-high 13 points against the Huskies in 18 minutes of work. She doesn’t often come off the bench for the Bobcats, but Antonova proved her worth Sunday.
2
Felder may have fouled out, but she left her mark against the Huskies. She scored a season-high 16 points and shot 42.8% from 3-point range. In just her fifth start, the guard proved she can rise to the occasion.
Felder is a freshman but has been one of Ohio’s best off-the-bench players this season. She proved her worth in the absence of several of Ohio’s perennial starters. Felder is good with the ball and a quick study. She has begun to pick up the habits of Ohio’s best.
