Defeated but not down

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Bowling Green couldn't quite hang with the third-ranked team in the country, but they still were able to take out several positives from a 91-72 loss to Ohio State.

The game was round two of the Preseason WNIT. The Falcons had advanced after defeating Chicago State.

However, Chicago State was a VERY different opponent compared to Ohio State.

The Buckeyes consistently went inside to 6-4 junior Jantel Lavender, who towered over every single BG defender that came at her. Lavender scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked two shots.

Earlly in the first half, Jen Uhl had pulled Bowling Green within 27-20 after a three-point play, but Lavender converted a three-point play of her own in the final minutes of the half to give the Bucks a 52-28 advantage. On OSU's next possession, Tayler Hill nailed a trey in the final seconds to give the Buckeyes an insurmountable 55-28 lead at the break.

Even still, Bowling Green came out strong after halftime. The Falcons started the 2nd stanza on a 9-2 run. Overall, BG outscored OSU 44-36 in the final 20 minutes.

And because of the way the Falcons finished, despite the loss, the team left Columbus with their heads somewhat held high, for they proved to the nation that they weren't going to be embarrassed by the #3 team in the country.