BGSU women top Ohio, clinch title share

2/26/2006

ATHENS, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University women's basketball team overcame a flu bug and a less-than-stellar day at the free-throw line to defeat Ohio 65-61.

With the win, the Falcons improved to 24-2 on the year and 15-0 in MAC play, clinching at least a tie for the league regular season championship.

Ali Mann led the Falcons with 20 points, while Liz Honegger had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Honegger also had four blocked shots and three steals.

Senior Casey McDowell had a season-high 14 points, going 5-for-7 from the field, including a 3-for-5 effort from the three-point arc. McDowell was replacing junior Carin Horne, who missed the game due to the flu.

Junior Amber Flynn provided a spark off the bench, scoring eight points and tying her career best with 10 rebounds.

Quintana Ward had 14 points to pace the Bobcats (7-19, 4-11).

"It was one of those grind-it-out games that you typically see at this time of year," said BGSU head coach Curt Miller. "Both teams defended well and made each other work on every possession.

"I'm very proud of our kids, in that - playing under the weather and without one of our most explosive players - we found a way to win. Ohio is a scary team; they are loaded with incredibly talented young players."

The Falcons will close the regular season Tuesday at Miami.