Ohio (2-8, 0-0 Mid-American Conference) lost its fourth-straight game Wednesday against Kentucky (8-4, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) 95-86.
Although it was another loss, the Bobcats had many positive takeaways. Their 86 points were tied for the most points they've scored in a single game this season.
The Bobcats proved to be competitive early on when they took a 16-10 lead late in the first quarter. However, the Wildcats answered by scoring the last seven points of the first quarter.
The Wildcats were close to creating a large lead in the second quarter, but Caitlyn Kroll hit back-to-back 3-pointers to lead the Bobcats on an 8-2 scoring run and tie the game at 33 going into halftime.
Kentucky's offense was extremely efficient in the second half, and Ohio struggled to keep up. Facing an eight-point deficit in the third quarter, it used key 3-pointers to stay in the game. Jaya McClure made two 3-pointers, while Kroll, Kate Dennis, and Kendall Hale had one 3-pointer each. The Bobcats finished the quarter having made 5-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Wildcats curbed the Bobcats' chances at another lead early in the fourth quarter with an 11-4 run. The Bobcats kept fighting, and eventually cut the Wildcat lead to six with just three minutes to go in the game. However, the Wildcats made enough free throws in the closing stretch to win the game without much stress.
Yaya Felder led Ohio in scoring with 20 points, while Kroll led the team in assists with five and finished with 16 points. Playing in her home state of Kentucky, McClure went for 15 points, which was a new career high.
The Bobcats didn't get the outcome they were looking for Wednesday, but they showed many signs of improvement against elite competition.
