An Ohio anomaly was a typical Saturday afternoon for Northern Illinois.
The Bobcats allowed more points at Dekalb’s version of the Convocation Center than they had all season in the 88-80 loss.
“I think the frustrating part of it is you felt like we were making progress defensively and we took a huge step backwards today,” coach Bob Boldon said after the game. “It was just poor defense from top to bottom.”
The field goal percentages for each team didn’t illustrate a convincing Norther Illinois victory. Ohio shot 43 percent while the Huskies shot 44 percent.
Ohio even made more 3-pointers, but the Huskies pushed the pace and made Ohio uncomfortable at times, forcing the Bobcats to play at a speed they weren’t used to.
It was apparent that tempo would decide the game from the opening tip. Ohio turned the ball over three times in the first three minutes and fell behind by nine points, with Northern Illinois running up and down the floor.
Ohio ended up regaining control of the game, sporting a four-point lead at the end of the first quarter with a more deliberate half-court approach, but it didn’t last long.
The Bobcats either tied or outscored the Huskies in every quarter except the second, but their performance in the second quarter was enough to trump the totality of their efforts.
Ohio committed six turnovers compared to five made field goals, got out-rebounded 14-8, and attempted zero free throws in the second quarter.
Ohio did its best to take small bites out of a consistent double-digit deficit throughout the second half, but Northern Illinois persistently answered back.
A timely Katie Barker 3-pointer following a Jasmine Weatherspoon steal and score got Ohio within four with 35 seconds remaining, but Northern Illinois made its free throws at the end to finally put the Bobcats away.
Sloppy play
The Bobcats played sloppy defense throughout the game, as five of Boldon’s players committed at least three fouls. Taylor Agler and Hannah Boesinger fouled out in the fourth quarter.
None of the Bobcats would admit to being tired, but 19 of the teams 27 team fouls came in the second half, including three of Agler’s five coming in the fourth quarter.
The Bobcats knew coming into Saturday’s game that Northern Illinois was a scoring leviathan, but still crumbled under the speed of the game. Boldon was upset with the Bobcats’ defensive performance, but looked forward to the opportunity to put it behind them.
“That’s the nice thing about conference play,” Boldon said. “You get to play quickly on Wednesday and try to do better.”
