Bobcats begin tourney run today

by Blake Whitney
Staff Writer

After knocking off Bowling Green 74-68 in the first round of the Mid-American Conference women’s basketball tournament, Ohio coach Lynn Bria said the Bobcats were the underdog despite having the better seed.

“I don’t think anyone thought we would win this game ­ except us ­ and we did,” Bria said. “It feels great.”

The Bobcats face No. 1 seed Kent State today in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals in Cleveland.

Kent State (17-10), which had a bye in the first round, has not played since its 92-42 thrashing of Ohio Feb. 26. The 50-point loss was the Bobcats’ worst loss in more than 10 seasons. After jumping to a 16-11 lead, the Golden Flashes outscored the Bobcats 81-26.

While the Bobcats might be familiar with the Golden Flashes, Bria said Ohio has erased the previous meeting from memory.

“We spent about 30 seconds about the (Kent State) game, then it was over,” Bria said.

Rather than dwell on the tough loss, Bria said the team worked on preparing for the postseason.

“There’s three times in the year when you’re 0-0 ­ when you first start, after your preseason and now,” Bria said. “I knew if I could just convince them of that we’d be all right.”

Ohio might need to establish Lori Moorman in the post early in the game to have a shot of beating the Golden Flashes. In the first match-up, the Bobcats managed three two-point field goals the entire game ­ and none in the first half.

Ohio’s poor showing against Kent State resurfaced in its first round game against Bowling Green, when it took six minutes to hit a field goal.

"We were a nervous wreck," Bria said. "Not that we weren't trying; we were trying too hard. I felt like if we got settled down, we would do better. I'm kind of glad when we kind of just ease into the game, because we tend to play a better overall game."

Trailing 37-31 at halftime, Ohio outscored Bowling Green 43-31 in the second half to claim the victory.

Kent State presents several tough match-ups for Ohio. Guard Kate Miller, second-team All-MAC selection, leads the backcourt while center Andrea Csaszar patrols the paint. The tandem combines for 29.8 points per game.

The Bobcats contained Csaszar in the first game, limiting her to four points and four fouls in 32 minutes.

The Bobcats faced Kent State in last season’s MAC Tournament quarterfinals in Cleveland, giving the Golden Flashes a close game before falling 85-78.

Tipoff between Ohio and Kent State is set for 2 p.m. today at Gund Arena in Cleveland.