On an electric senior night, a conference clash between the BGSU women’s basketball (16-11, 9-6) and the Ohio Bobcats (6-20, 4-11) took place on Wednesday at the Stroh Center. With the Falcons breaking a school record for made three pointers, with 18.
Amy Velasco and Paige Kohler had themselves a fantastic game, both having been responsible for 22 points. “We were finding the hot hand and moving the ball downhill,” Kohler said postgame.
The Bobcats drew first blood, with a basket by Anyssa Jones and the Falcons responded with a three-pointer by Kohler. Ohio then scored twice, making the score 6-3 in their favor. Two quick scores by BGSU, including a three by Velasco, put them back in front 8-6.
Ohio pushed themselves back into the lead, after a basket by Danni Scully and a three-pointer by Bailey Tabeling. The score was 11-8 halfway the first quarter. An impressive rebound by the Falcons allowed Velasco to shoot a three-pointer, tying the ball game at 11 each.
BG began to take control of the game, with Velasco making two additional threes. With 2:19 remaining in the first, Bowling Green had the advantage 21-13. OU then started closing the gap, scoring two baskets and a free throw. After one quarter, the Falcons held a close lead of 21-18.
The second quarter started with another BGSU highlight, as Kohler made a three to stretch their lead to six. The Falcons continued to pour it on, with Lexi Fleming making two more threes. The Orange and Brown had the lead, 31-18.
Both team’s defenses began to shine, only allowing a few points from either side. The Bobcats were slowing down the Falcons, who’d been on fire. BG’s only points had come from free throws and Ohio had one basket. An impressive steal by Aliah McWhorter denied Bowling Green any points from a promising possession.
“We did a really good job of getting stops,” said head coach Fred Chmiel after the game.
The Falcon’s offense began heating up, scoring several back-to-back baskets and pushing their lead to 21. BG finished the half very strongly, putting up even more baskets.
At the end of the first half, Bowling Green held a very commanding 50-27 lead. Velasco and Kohler were really shining, having 16 and 12 points respectively. BGSU was 10-17 on three pointers with Ohio only being 1-9. BGSU’s offense was dominating on the court, shooting 16-26 on field goals and 8-14 on free throws.
The second half opened up with a Johnea Donahue basket for the Falcons. OU promptly responded with a three-pointer. Some back-and-forth scoring between the two teams made the score 66-36 with midway through in the third quarter.
The Bobcats struck back with two quick scores to make the score 66-41. A good layup by Ohio’s Kennedi Watkins got them another basket. As the quarter winded down, the scoring slowed, with the Falcons holding a 70-44 lead at the end of three.
The Orange and Brown started the final quarter hot, with a three by Kohler and another by Velasco. Ohio responded with some points of their own, trying to cut into the lead.
Bowling Green broke 80 with under five minutes to go in the game, via a 3-pointer from Emily Siesel. The offense was dominating the game, scoring consistently. As the final minutes of the game ticked off the clock, BGSU was stretching their lead, as they closed out the game to earn their 16th win of the season.
Bowling Green looks to extend their winning streak to six games on Saturday, when they travel to Northern Illinois to play the Huskies, with tip-off set for 2:00 p.m.
