Barnett Leaves Mark on MAC

If there has been one thing Ohio has struggled with all season it's scoring. But for one Bobcat, scoring is the least of her problems. Junior guard Carolyn Barnett averaged 21.5 points per game last week against Northern Illinois and Bowling Green combined and her work has certainly been rewarded. Barnett has been named Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week, her first career weekly award.

"Wow," she said. "I didn't know they even saw me. I didn't even know that people noticed me. I was just surprised and it feels great to know that my hard work has paid off."

Well, it is hard NOT to notice a career high 29 points against the Huskies, shooting 11-of-19 from the field with five rebounds and two steals, to spark an offense for Ohio. Then, against Bowling Green, the lights out shooting only continued. Her 60 percent from the field was good for 14 points in just 19 minutes of play.

What is most exciting about Barnett's honor is seeing how far she has come. Last year, Barnett averaged two points and a little over one rebound per game in just six minutes overall for the year. Now, she is arguably one of the most important offensive players on the team.

"It feels so good and I have always thought of myself as a scorer. That is what I am really good at," she added. "Offense is my main key I just had to get a feel of it my first two years. Now I have a better feel of it and I continue to."

Her teammates and coaches have always described her as a a boost of energy, but the way she sees it that is how everyone should be coming off the bench.

"Anyone that is coming off the bench should want to be that spark for the team. I want them to think of me when they think of a spark and I think I am. You have to prove that you deserve to be on the court and if you are coming off the bench, your time to do that is limited," she said.

This Chicago native may have started with limited time, but her impact only continues to increase and with tournament time approaching the Bobcats will take all of the scoring it can get.

Carolyn Barnett

Fun Fact: Barnett is a Health Service Administration Major

Go Bobcats!

No Valentines Day Love this Year

Happy Valentines Day! I hope you are getting all of the love you deserve. Unfortunately, Bowling Green had no love for Ohio. A 73-57 loss to the Falcons was no holiday gift but it is significantly better than the 77-42 beating from Bowling Green at the Convo earlier this season. What was a two possession game going in to the half, before BG hit a jaw dropping half court shot to go up 9, turned into more of a challenge when Bowling Green's school leader in 3 pointers hit four out of five to stretch the lead.

My play-by-play partner and I decided the team needed some love so we made Dora the Explorer valentines for each player to read on the bus ride home:) They either said "You're Sweet," "You're Awesome," or something similar and we wrote specialized notes based on each players individual strengths. For example, Danielle Woodmore (extremely quick guard who started her first game yesterday) got a valentine that said "You're Sweet" and then we added "At Driving to the Basket." Ha ha ha. Anyways, we thought it was clever.

It was clear from the game yesterday that the Bobcats continue to get better as the season progresses. They no longer have a chance to host a home tournament game but no one is throwing away hopes of a successful tournament run despite the devastating seven win season.

Ohio will finally have the week off to relax, catch up on school and rehab before next Saturday's matchup against Kent State. The next three games are all home and against beatable teams. If there is a time to gain some momentum, it's now!

Fun Fact: Senior Jenny Poff has now hit a three-pointer in 17 games straight!

Go Bobcats!