Close Doesn't Cut It!

It is Friday afternoon and I am STILL thinking about Wednesday night's devastating loss to Eastern Michigan. The Eagles came in posting a 14-4 record and a win was not looking promising for a 5-14 Ohio. However, the Bobcats surprised everyone. Ohio NEVER trailed until Eastern's very last possession of the game when Huntley hit a crucial three-pointer to clinch the win.

If you can imagine winning for close to an entire game until the last few seconds, the only seconds that truly matter, and then losing to a team who is number one in Mid-American Conference defense and number two in scoring. AHHH!!! It was certainly frustrating for everyone who was rooting for the home team. Lets check out the positives of the situation though:

1. In the beginning of the season this most likely would have been a blow out game with Ohio on the losing end. 

2. Ohio was shooting nearly 50 percent from downtown with 2:00 left to play against a tenacious Eagle defense.

3. Ohio only had 22 turnovers!! (For those of you who have not been following the team very closely you are probably wondering why I am getting excited about 22 TOs. Well let's just say this ball club turned it over 39 times against Florida. Now do you get it?)

4. The Bobcats have now held it's last two opponents under 60 points. Both Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan, teams who are averaging over 70, could not break the 60 mark against an all around team effort defense from Ohio.  

5. With Da'Keisha Mann out for violating team policy, this game was a great opportunity for young faces to step up and Symone Lyles did just that. She was a spark defensively and was reliable on offense. I think we will see more of her from now on. 

There are always positives to take away from even the most devastating games. This group of girls is continuing to improve. Luckily, after the game, the players had to come back out immediately to sign autographs for the elementary school kids so they had no chance to pout. The only thing they had time to do was just throw a big smile on and put the game in the past. It's time to prepare for the Ball State Cardinals who are coming to A-town for a 2:00 tip Saturday! Come support! 

Also, every post I will have a "Fun Fact" at the end. Just a little something to look forward to:)

Fun Fact from the Eastern game: Ohio's own Jenny Poff sang the national anthem. She has mentioned trying out for the next season of American Idol once her basketball career is finished. She also promised she would sing a little tune to post on the blog! For now, here is a clip of the National Anthem: Poff National Anthem

Go Bobcats!