THERE ARE FOUR LETTERS IN OHIO. Last Wednesday, the Lady Huskies had to battle lake effect snow and visit Kent State.


In Inland regatta-speak, the team learned a lot. Saturday, Midwestern Axis of Evil member (find U.S. Highway 23 on your road atlas) and nationally-ranked Bowling Green visited DeKalb.

The Falcons extended their Mid-American Conference record winning streak to 36 games, and the Huskies (15-8, 6-5) lost consecutive games for the first time this season.

The Huskies committed 14 turnovers in the first half en route to an eight-point halftime deficit (42-34). Then a few key miscues early in the second half allowed the Falcons (22-2, 11-0) to build a commanding 18-point advantage by the 16:07 mark.

There is progress, despite the setbacks.

[Curt] Miller didn't stop at that. The sixth-year BGSU coach said [Stephanie] Raymond's impact will be felt beyond this season as NIU coach Carol Owens continues to build the program.

“She's the engine for this program, she has this program going on high cylinder,” Miller said. “Her contribution will help Carol Owens be a champion in the future. People will want to come here because of the legacy Stephanie Raymond will leave here.”

I am particularly pleased to note the recognition Ms Raymond and the current seniors are receiving.

Some days, however, I wonder about the entire enterprise. If Bowling Green does anything less than run the table in the Mid-American regular season and the tournament, they're looking at a first-round road trip to the likes of Maryland or Ohio State. It's even tougher for former Northern Illinois Main Enemy Wisconsin-Green Bay.

UWGB's winning streak is now 16, the fourth-longest in the nation. The Phoenix hasn't [c.q.] lost since Nov. 29. [Head coach Kevin] Borseth warned of crowning his team league champion just yet, with six games left to play, not to mention the tournament - the only way into the NCAA tournament. But this game helped UWGB's cause greatly.

Once upon a time, both Green Bay and Northern Illinois played in the North Star and then the Mid-Continent conferences, and one year both teams made the field of 64. The Mid-American and the Horizon conferences each receive an automatic bid for the tournament winner, but an Illinois-Chicago or a Ball State can have a very good season and be excused with a tournament loss.