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WNBAMiddle Tennessee (1-0) At Ohio University (1-0)
GAME NOTES: The Global Sports Invitational will pit the Ohio Bobcats against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, as the two schools will collide for the first-time ever this afternoon at the Convocation Center.
The Blue Raiders started the season with an easy matchup against King College, and the team made quick work of its opponents, winning by a 93-73 margin. It was a nice start to the year for Middle Tennessee, which closed out last season with a respectable 18-14 ledger.
As for the Bobcats, they also opened their new campaign with an easy matchup, as they pounded Ohio Valley, 101-72. Ohio needed a solid start after suffering through a 15-17 campaign a year ago. The team closed out last season with six loses in its last eight games.
The Blue Raiders did nothing wrong in their season-opener, as they pounded King College by 20 points. MT shot an impressive 54.9 percent from the field, and that included an even better 13-of-22 clip from long range. James Washington led the team with 24 points in the win, while Montarrio Haddock added 23 points and six rebounds. Haddock is one of the top returning players for MTU, as he posted 9.9 ppg, and a team-best 5.2 rpg a year ago. James Gallman contributed 18 points off the bench, while J.T. Sulton posted 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds in a reserve role. Surprisingly Calvin O'Neil and Theryn Hudson struggled, as O'Neil was held scoreless and Hudson finished with just two points. O'Neil will need to play much better if the Blue Raiders want to enjoy a strong season.
Just like their counterpart, the Bobcats exploded offensively in their opener, as five different players finished in double-figures. Ivo Baltic was sensational in the win, as the freshman forward scored 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds in just 17 minutes off the bench. Tommy Freeman, the team's top returning scorer from last year (7.4 ppg), added 18 points in the win. Reggie Keely was solid in the paint for Ohio, netting 15 points, while D.J. Cooper had possibly the best showing for Ohio despite shooting just 4- of-16 from the field. Cooper tallied 13 points, but also pulled down seven rebounds and dished out a game-high 12 assists. DeVaughan Washington also scored 13 points to go along with nine rebounds for the Bobcats. Kenneth van Kempen and Asown Sayles did not perform well offensively, combining for just 12 points, but both players were ferocious on the glass, as van Kempen collected 10 caroms, while Sayles pulled down nine. Obviously Ohio's competition was not top notch in the opener, but if the team can continue to get contributions from different players each night, it could be a nice year for the Bobcats.
Both teams were outstanding against weak competition in their respective openers, but this afternoon will be a much tougher task for each team. The Bobcats seem to have more depth on the roster and with homecourt advantage the team should remain perfect on the year.
Predicted OutcomeOhio 77, Middle Tennessee 71Copyright 2009 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
