Jan. 7, 2009
Final Stats
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Behind career nights from junior guard Jenny Poff and senior forward Lauren Hmiel, Ohio scratched its way back after a 13-point halftime deficit to defeat Buffalo on the road, 84-81, in the Mid-American conference opener for both teams. The Bobcats (5-8, 1-0 MAC) never led the Bulls (4-10, 0-1 MAC) by more than four points and were down by as many as 14, but hot shooting, evidenced by a season-high 84 points, and dominance on the boards helped the `Cats to victory in their first overtime game of the season.
Poff (St. John's, Mich.) was deadly from beyond the arc, shooting 5-7 and fueling a career-high 26 points on 10-15 field goals, while Hmiel (York, Pa.) notched her first-career double-double with 19 points on 8-12 shooting and a career-high 10 rebounds. She has now scored 15 or more points in her last six games and notched a career-high 20 in Ohio's last contest versus No. 18 Florida. Junior guard Jennifer Bushby (Gahanna, Ohio) added 16 points and seven boards to propel Ohio past the Bulls, who have now lost seven-consecutive games. Sophomore forward Jessica Fortman led Buffalo with 19 points, while two other Bulls chipped in 17 apiece.
Ohio out-rebounded Buffalo 51-39, a margin almost twice as much as the Bobcats were averaging coming into the game. The 51 boards, powered by a career-high 12 from sophomore Thia Gholson (Louisville, Ky.), are the second-highest total this season for Ohio. Both teams shot 44 percent from the floor, but the Bobcats were 7-10 from three-point range for a stellar 70 percent, proving to be the difference, as the Bulls were just 5-15 from deep.
"It was a tough game," said Ohio head coach Semeka Randall. "We didn't come out as aggressive as we needed to the first half. Give credit to Buffalo for shooting the ball well. That said, I was proud of the efforts we made in the second half. We really battled back and fought hard and were able to make the plays we needed to and pull it out in overtime."
This was the 18th meeting between the schools, and Ohio has now tied the series at nine wins apiece. Last season, the series was split, with both teams winning on the road.
The first half was a close contest until Buffalo went on a 13-0 run going into the locker room, giving it a 40-27 lead at the break. After being down early in the second period, Ohio clawed its way back with a 13-0 run of its own to tie the score at 51 midway through the half.
Ohio took the lead for only the second time in the game with just over a minute remaining in regulation on a layup by Poff. Buffalo responded with a basket to tie the score at 70 with 47 seconds to play, but neither team was able to convert in the final seconds, sending the game to overtime.
In the extra period, the Bobcats maintained a slim lead throughout most of the action, but the Bulls would not be put away. A three by Poff with just under two minutes to play had Ohio ahead by four, but in the waning seconds the Bulls' Fortman hit a three-pointer to pull them within one with two seconds on the clock. Fortman then fouled Bushby on Ohio's ensuing possession, and Bushby drained two free throws, sealing the win for the `Cats.
Ohio returns to Athens for a date with Bowling Green in a rematch of last season's double-overtime thriller in the conference tournament this Saturday, Jan. 10. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. ET.
