CLEVELAND — 3:13 p.m.-Ohio University advances MAC Tournament Championship Game
The Ohio University Bobcats will play for an automatic berth into the 2019 NCAA Tournament after their 74-48 victory over the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks in the semifinals of the 2019 Mid-American Conference Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Friday afternoon.
Four of Ohio’s five starters scored in double figures, led by redshirt freshman forward Erica Johnson, who had 18 points on six-of-nine shooting, including a four-of-five showing from three-point range, and finished off a second consecutive double-double in MAC Tournament play with 10 rebounds.
Additionally, the Bobcats got double-figure scoring production from sophomore guard Cece Hooks (16 points), junior guard Amani Burke (12) and second-year forward Gabby Burris (10).
Senior forward Kendall McCoy led Miami in scoring with 10 points and nine rebounds.
The second-seeded Bobcats (27-4) will face off against the No. 4 seed in the tournament, the Buffalo Bulls (22-9), at The Q at 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning for the right to represent the MAC in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
The Bulls upset the tournament’s No. 1 seed, the Central Michigan Chippewas, in the first semifinal Friday.
PHOTOS | Ohio University advances to MAC Championship Game with win over Miami (Ohio)
2:50 p.m.-OU one quarter away from MAC Tournament Final appearance
Much like the first half, the Ohio University women’s basketball team used timely offense and aggressive defense to increase their lead over the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks in the semifinals of the 2019 Mid-American Conference Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Friday.
By knocking down seven of their 17 attempts from the field (41.2 percent) and three of their eight looks from three-point range (37.5 percent), the Bobcats staked themselves out to a 59-32 lead over the RedHawks.
Out of the halftime break, Miami made just three of its 15 looks at the basket.
2:10 p.m.-Bobcats lead RedHawks after first half
The Ohio University women’s basketball team utilized proficient offense and aggressive defense to build a 36-23 lead over the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks after the first half of play in their 2019 Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal matchup at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Friday.
The Bobcats knocked down 14 of their 28 attempts from the field (50 percent) and six of their 12 tries from three-point range, and at the same time, limited Miami to 11 of 33 from the floor on the way to the 13-point halftime advantage.
Redshirt freshman forward Erica Johnson and junior guard Amani Burke led the way for the Bobcats with nine points each, while sophomore guard Cece Hooks added eight markers on four-of-five shooting from the field in the first half.
Senior forward Kendall McCoy scored a team-leading 10 points to go along with six rebounds in 17 minutes of play for the RedHawks.
1:50 p.m.-OU holds lead over Miami after first quarter
The Ohio University women’s team started fast from three-point range and rode that early momentum to a 22-14 lead over the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks after the first quarter of play in their 2019 Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal matchup at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Friday.
The Bobcats knocked down four of their first eight looks from three-point range and were nine of 17 from the field overall in the first quarter.
Redshirt freshman forward Erica Johnson led the way for the Bobcats with eight points and three rebounds, while junior guard Amani Burke and sophomore guard Cece Hooks added six points each in the first quarter.
Senior forward Kendall McCoy scored a team-high six points for the RedHawks in the first quarter.
1:30 p.m.-OU looks to punch ticket to Saturday’s final
The Ohio University women’s basketball team came into the 2019 Mid-American Conference Tournament as the No. 2 overall seed, and now, they are just one victory away from heading to the Championship Game on Saturday.
But standing in the way of the Bobcats (26-4, 14-4 MAC) is the No. 3 seed, the Miami Redhawks (23-7, 13-5), in the semifinals today at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
This will be the 91st overall meeting between Ohio and Miami, and the teams split the 2018-2019 season series, as the Bobcats rebounded from a home loss in late January with a critical road win at Miami during the final week of regular-season play.
