Dec. 21, 2008
Final Stats
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Ohio women's basketball team suffered another heartbreaking loss Sunday afternoon at the Carrier Dome, as Syracuse rallied to defeat the Bobcats, 67-62, in the teams' first-ever meeting. Five of Ohio's six losses have now come by five points or less, as the Bobcats (4-6) led the entire second half until the Orange (9-2) went ahead with 41 seconds remaining.
"This was a disappointing loss," Ohio coach Semeka Randall said. "It was a game that will help us continue to improve and get stronger. It is important that we continue to work on the little things down the stretch. Give Syracuse credit though. They knocked down their free throws and forced us into some costly turnovers."
Ohio limited Syracuse to just 28.4 percent shooting (21-74) in the loss, a season-low for an Ohio opponent. The Orange won the game from the free-throw line, where they went 22-of-24 for 91.7 percent, while also forcing Ohio into 31 turnovers, which they converted into 29 points. The Bobcats managed just 10 made free throws on 16 tries. The Green & White shot 40.3 percent from the floor (25-of-62), but were just 2-of-15 from deep. Syracuse was even worse from 3-point range, going 3-of-25. The 'Cats did outrebound the Orange, 52-42, setting a season high in the process.
Junior guard Jennifer Bushby (Gahanna, Ohio) paced Ohio with a season-high 17 points (7-of-12 shooting), while also dishing out a game-high-tying five assists, grabbing five rebounds and nabbing three steals. Senior forward Lauren Hmiel (York, Pa.) was the Bobcats' other double-figure scorer with 15, including 10 in the second half. Sophomore center Thia Gholson (Louisville, Ky.) pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds, while sophomore forward Kamille Buckner (Chicago, Ill.) had a career-high nine caroms. Syracuse was led by Nicole Michael's 23 points and Erica Morrow's 19, while Chandrea Jones tallied 11 rebounds for the Orange.
"We had some great support off the bench tonight that give us a big lift," Randall said. "Thia (Gholson) gave us some good energy and did a tremendous job on the boards. Carolyn (Barnett) came in and gave us some big points when we really needed them."
The first half was a back-and-forth battle that saw five lead changes and six ties. Syracuse opened the game with a basket, before an old-fashioned 3-point play from senior forward Chandra Myers (Sugarcreek, Ohio) and a triple from junior guard Jenny Poff (St. Johns, Mich.) gave the 'Cats an early 6-2 lead.
With the Orange holding an 18-15 lead, Bushby powered Ohio on top by scoring 13-straight Bobcat points, including nine unanswered in a two-minute stretch. During the nine-point run, Bushby hit two jumpers, a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to give Ohio a 24-18 edge. Bushby completed her 13-straight points on a layup that pushed Ohio ahead 28-20.
Despite 20 first-half turnovers, the Bobcats went into the break up 31-24, as Syracuse did not make a field goal the final 3:38 of the half and only scored 13 points off Ohio's turnovers. Bushby's 13 points led the 'Cats at the half, as did her three assists. Buckner grabbed five rebounds in the first 20 minutes and blocked a shot, which moved her into sole possession of fourth place on Ohio's all-time blocked shots list, passing Nicole Smith.
The Bobcats shot 44 percent (11-of-25) in the opening period and made 7-of-9 from the free-throw line, while holding the Orange to just 21.1 percent from the floor on 8-of-38 shooting, including just 1-of-17 (5.9 percent) from long range. The 21.1 percent was a season low for an Ohio opponent. The Bobcats also used a 10-2 advantage in fastbreak points to grab their seven-point halftime lead.
Three different 'Cats made layups to open the second stanza, giving Ohio a game-high 13-point lead. Syracuse used some full-court pressure to cut into the Bobcat lead, going on a 13-6 run which put the Orange within six, 43-37.
The teams traded buckets until Hmeil scored four-straight points to put Ohio ahead by double digits, 51-41. Syracuse used a 9-0 run over a two-minute stretch, including four points from Michael, to get within three at 55-52. With 3:54 to play, Tasha Harris hit the second of two free throws to knot the game at 57.
Sophomore forward Carolyn Barnett (North Chicago, Ill.), who finished with seven points, one shy of her career high, scored Ohio's next five points, but a 3-point play by Michael tied the game back up at 62. Syracuse grabbed their first lead of the game with 41 seconds to play, as Harris drained two free throws. The Bobcats were unable to find the bottom of the net for the remainder of the game, while the Orange hit three tosses from the charity stripe to close out the 67-62 Bobcat loss.
Ohio shot 37.8 percent in the second half on 14-of-37 shooting, while Syracuse was 13-of-36 from the field for 36.1 percent, but went 15-of-17 from the free-throw line in the final period.
The Bobcats will take a week off for the holidays, before returning to the court Monday, Dec. 29, when they'll travel to Mobile, Ala. for a date with South Alabama. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
