After losing five consecutive games, Ohio coach Semeka Randall decided she needed to shake things up for Thursday’s game against Eastern Kentucky to get the Bobcats back into the win column — and it worked.
The Bobcats (2-5) snapped their losing streak with a 69-58 win against the Colonels for Ohio’s first win since the season opener, as Randall placed freshman guard Kiyanna Black and junior guard Erin Bailes into the starting lineup.
“It wasn’t pretty, but we got it done. What was different, unlike other games we’ve played, is we were able to win the game,” Randall said. “I mixed up the lineup and found five people that are committed to playing hard, and they responded well.”
The first half was comprised of a pair of runs from both squads, after the teams were tied at eight points to begin the game. The Colonels (5-4) then went on a 15-4 run largely because of five Bobcat turnovers.
However, with 2:39 remaining until halftime, Ohio trailed Eastern Kentucky 33-24, but the Bobcats eliminated the deficit and tied the score at 34.
After scoring woes from the starting rotation in previous games, three different starters finished with double-digit point totals. Leading all scorers was junior guard Shavon Robinson with 14 points, while Black scored 13 points, despite fouling out with more than eight minutes remaining.
Senior guard Symone Lyles, who for the first time this season did not start, added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench.
“I don’t think coming off the bench or starting makes any difference for us; tonight we just really wanted to win the game,” Bailes said. “But being in the game does feel good, even if I’m not scoring much.”
The Bobcats also finished with more points in the paint and rebounds than the Colonels but continued to struggle from the field, as Ohio shot less than 35 percent.
The Bobcats will be back in action Sunday against Morehead State (1-7), which is in the midst of a six-game losing streak after winning its home opener against Kennesaw State by just one point.
Junior guard Terrice Robinson leads the Eagles in points per game with 13, while also averaging three rebounds and an assist. Sophomore forward Casey Ryans also helps fuel Morehead State, as she leads the team in rebounds per game, while also adding five points.
The Eagles are averaging just less than 48 points per game, while they are allowing more than 63 points. However, Ohio and Morehead State are both making less than 35 percent of their shots from the field.
Ohio is just 2-7 all time against Morehead State, having lost the past two meetings, including a 62-57 defeat in last season’s showdown, but Randall is optimistic that the win will open doors and allow the Bobcats to gain confidence moving forward.
“We’ve still got some things we want to work on, but I’m confident that the lightbulb will eventually click on,” said Randall. “At the end of the day, we have to see where we are going for this, because we have another big challenge ahead with Morehead.”
cl027410@ohiou.edu
