Dec. 3, 2009
Final Stats
OREM, Utah - Big play from the bench mixed with strong defense proved to be the right mixture for Ohio women's basketball as the Bobcats wrapped up their Utah road trip with a 57-43 win over Utah Valley Thursday night in the McKay Events Center. Ohio (3-3) got 27 points from its bench, while the defense limited UVU to just 27 percent shooting on the evening.
Sophomore Maxine Ohakim (Westerville, Ohio) led the Green and White with a career-high 16 points off the pine, while classmate Danielle Woodmore (Louisville, Ky.) chipped in a career-best 11 points, all in the second half, off the bench as well. Jenny Poff (St. John's Mich.) added nine points, while Jennifer Bushby (Gahanna, Ohio) and Da'Keisha Mann scored eight and seven, respectively. Freshman Ashley Fowler (Cincinnati, Ohio) dished out five assists.
The `Cats continued their strong defensive play, holding the Wolverines (3-6) to just 27 percent shooting (15-of-55), a season low by an opponent. UVU's 43 points also marked the lowest output by an opponent this season as the Green and White held its sixth-straight foe below 60 points. Buckner turned in another solid night defensively, swatting away three shots, while Mann picked up a career-high five thefts. Ohakim also chipped in two blocks.
The Green and White turned in a solid night on the boards, pulling down 40 caroms and outrebounding UVU 40-34 on the night. Ohio got strong play inside, outscoring the Wolverines 30-14 in the paint, and took advantage of costly UVU turnovers to the tune of 22 points.
Ohio showed no ill effects from Tuesday's game in the opening minutes as it got out to an early 5-2 lead with 15:37 left in the first half after an inside bucket from Mann. A pair of Ohakim scores helped fuel a 6-0 Green and White run that put the `Cats up 11-3.
A tough Ohio defense helped keep the Wolverines in check as the `Cats held UVU to just 2-of-10 shooting through the first 10 minutes of play. A driving lay in from Poff put the Bobcats up 17-7. Ohio continued their strong play inside and took a 20-9 lead after a driving layin from Mann from 7:15 left in the frame. UVU fought back to cut the lead to 24-19 at the half. The `Cats' defense showed their prowess through the first 20 minutes of play, holding the Wolverines to 28 percent shooting from the field (8-of-28), the lowest output by an opponent this season. Ohio also enjoyed strong play inside, scoring 18 of its 24 points in the paint.
The action was back and forth in the opening minutes of the second half. The `Cats held a 32-25 lead with 15:56 left in the game. UVU battled back and trimmed the lead to 34-32 with 11:45 left, before a huge and-one bucket from Woodmore sparked a big 9-2 Ohio run that extended the lead to 43-34 with 6:43 remaining.
A free throw by Buckner put Ohio up by 10 with 4:12 left. A beautifully-run pick and roll by Ohakim and Fowler put the `Cats up 50-39 with 1:55 left. Poff converted an acrobatic driving lay up to put Ohio up by 14. That margin would stand as Ohio's defense continued its strong play down the stretch.
Julie Smith led the Wolverines with 15 points, while Kayla Burningham scored eight.
The `Cats will now return to the friendly confines of the Convo and play host to Syracuse Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
