Dec. 28, 2009

Final Stats

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Ohio ran into an angry bunch of Gators on the road in Gainesville Monday evening as it fell 78-49 to Florida of the SEC in the O'Connell Center. Jenny Poff scored a team-high 12 points to lead the `Cats.

As had been problematic for Ohio (3-9) in past games, turnovers bit the Green and White as it gave the ball up 39 times, which resulted in 42 big points for the Gators (6-6). The `Cats' defense forced Florida in to 26 turnovers, but Ohio was unable to capitalize the way it needed, while Florida shot 61 percent from the field in the second half to pull away.

Poff's (St. John's, Mich.) 12 points led the `Cats, while Jennifer Bushby (Gahanna, Ohio) chipped in seven points to go with a solid stat line that also included four rebounds, three steals and a block. Da'Keisha Mann (Columbus, Ohio) scored six points, and Carolyn Barnett (North Chicago, Ill.) and Ashley Fowler (Cincinnati, Ohio) each scored five. Maxine Ohakim (Westerville, Ohio) pulled down four rebounds to equal Bushby for team-high honors. Kamille Buckner (Chicago, Ill.) picked up a block herself to move to within two of tying the school's all-time record for blocked shots.

Poff had the hot hand in the early going and scored Ohio's first eight points to give the `Cats an 8-7 lead with 13:13 left in the first half. Florida took advantage of some costly Ohio miscues to spark an 8-0 run to take a 15-8 advantage.

The Gators extended their lead to 18-8 after a three from Jordan Jones, before Bushby picked a pocket and converted a lay-in cut the deficit to eight. Both sides then traded scores to make it 20-12 with 7:34 left. Florida extended its lead to 27-13. Action was tight during the next couple minutes with Ohio making it 31-18 after a Danielle Woodmore (Louisville, Ky.) free throw. The first half ended with the Gators taking a 36-22 lead into the lockerroom.

Ohio finished the half shooting 40 percent from the field and forced Florida into 11 turnovers, but turnovers roared its ugly head and hurt the Green and White as the Gators scored 21 points off those miscues.

Poff led Ohio with 10 first-half points, while Bushby added four points, two rebounds and two steals.

Florida came out smoking to start the second half and hit five of its first six shots to build a 48-25 lead. The Gators extended the lead to as much as 34 points in the middle of the half. An Ohakim put back cut the lead to 66-39 with 6:01 left.

Ohio kept fighting, but Florida equaled every Green and White run the rest of the way as the game ended with the 78-49 final.

Azania Stewart led the Gators with a game-high 18 points, while Jordan Jones added 14 points.

Ohio will return to action Saturday, Jan. 2 as it opens up the new year by hosting Colgate. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. in the Convo.