BGSU women’s basketball has had an intriguing season. Like any team, lineups have shifted, and there have been some surprises along the way. With 13 games left, the players’ roles are mostly solidified heading into the push for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament.
Here are the 13 players and their midseason grades. The grades are based on preseason expectations and take overall opportunities into consideration.
Paige Kohler — A-
Kohler is eighth in the MAC with 14.1 points per game and also leads the Falcons with field goals made (79) and three-pointers made (31). Along with securing the first triple-double in program history. The reason for the A-minus grade is Kohler’s efficiency. Kohler is shooting a lowly 34.8 percent from the field and 27 percent from three-point range.
Her 59 assists narrowly lead the team and are aided by the ten assists she recorded in her triple-double performance against Lourdes on Dec. 14. If Kohler improves her shooting, she could strengthen her case for All-MAC first team.
Johnea Donahue — A+
Donahue has played in 15 of the 17 contests for BG, as she missed two games due to a knee injury. When she plays, it has been at a high level. Donahue averages 11.9 points per game, which is second on the team. While maintaining the role of the second option, Donahue averages 3.9 steals per game, which leads the MAC.
Along with her stealing ability, she has the second most field goals on the team (59), second most assists (80), and leads the team with 56 free throws at a 78.9 percent rate.
Kaia Woods — A-
After missing the first two games of the year due to injury, Woods has been nothing short of spectacular in her role. She averages 8.2 points per game, ranking third on the team. While being the third option, she is remarkably efficient, shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from three.
The main way Woods can elevate the team is by slowing down offensively. She tends to speed up on offense, leading to unnecessary turnovers or erratic shots. If she can fix that part of her game, she will be a problem for MAC defenses.
Lauren Gerken — C
In the first game of the season, Gerken recorded a double-double over Louisiana. Since then, it has been a rollercoaster of a season due to her shooting struggles. She is shooting 24.2 percent from three while having the second-most attempts on the roster.
As of late, she has started to click from beyond-the-arc and has posted consecutive double-digit scoring performances. If Gerken’s jump shots start to fall more, the Falcons will have a much more lethal offensive attack.
Taya Ellis — B-
Even though she has slowed down as of late, Ellis has made a strong impact in the paint throughout the season. She leads the Falcons with 6.3 rebounds per game and adds solid shot-making ability with a 44 percent field goal percentage.
She has gone out of some games with injury and is still finding the early-season traction she had. If she gets back to that level, she will make the area around the basket a frightening spot for opponents.
Jasmine Fearne — C-
As a shooting specialist, Fearne relies on her deep shooting to do most of the talking. Unfortunately, she has been on a cold spell in more recent games and is below 30 percent from three.
She did have four three-pointers in consecutive games before conference play. If Fearne can recapture that shooting touch in the MAC gauntlet, it will go a long way toward boosting the offensive output.
Jaedyn Cook — D+
The JUCO transfer has had some bright moments in her first season at Bowling Green, but she has come up short against tougher competition. The game that supports this the most is her one of seven-shooting performances against Eastern Michigan.
Cook now finds herself barely getting any playing time while other players at her position are finding their groove.
Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick — D+
It looked like Bland-Fitzpatrick would be a large part of the Falcons’ success this season. She started in the season opener before consistently losing opportunities as the season rolled along. She is limited to making shots within the paint as she has yet to make a three-pointer, and while shooting 60 percent from the line.
She has been primarily used as a defensive specialist, with the ability to run in transition. It seems too late for her to regain a starting role.
Emily Siesel — C+
Siesel has lost playing time in MAC play, but she has been a positive force for the Falcons off the bench. She is second on the team in three-point percentage and is third on the team in steals.
Siesel will likely remain in her limited role, but she provides solid defensive effort and can make shots when called upon.
Kendal Moxey — B
The Maryland native has taken advantage of her increased playing time as of late. Moxey recorded less than ten minutes in the first 13 games. In the past four years, that number jumped to 18.
She has gone 14 of 17 from the field over this stretch and averaged over 6 rebounds per game. Moxey’s paint presence can continue to aid the Orange and Brown in MAC play.
Ky’Aira Miller — C-
As the only true freshman on the roster, Miller doesn’t need to be the star of the team this early. However, after starting the first five games of the year, she has been relegated to the bench and has her role completely flipped. At 5-foot-7, Miller has struggled to shoot the ball with her 34 percent field goal percentage.
At that height, it’s tough to earn minutes unless you are scoring at a high level or playing stellar defense. Starting games is out the window, but Miller can try to grow her game towards the end of her freshman season.
Laila Harrison — N/A
Harrison has simply not had enough playing time for a true judgment of her season. The Ohio native has played in two MAC games, recording zero minutes. As a sophomore, Harrison still has time to prove herself on the court.
Sofia Moschen — N/A
Moschen has appeared in 11 of 17 contests and simply has to wait for her turn to get playing time. The highlight of her season was her 12 points and three shots from downtown versus Kentucky State.
Her shooting ability at 6-foot-2 could be an interesting option for the Falcons next season.
