Feb. 28, 2009
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
ATHENS, Ohio - Freshman Da'Keisha Mann (Columbus, Ohio) notched her first career double-double with career bests of 16 points and 10 rebounds to help power Ohio to a 60-48 win over Miami (13-14, 5-9) on senior day as the Bobcats (12-15, 7-7 Mid-American Conference) completed the season sweep of the RedHawks, the first time since the 1997-98 season that they have done so. Before the game, Ohio paid tribute to seniors Lauren Hmiel and Chandra Myers as part of senior-day festivities.
"This was a great game to send our seniors out on a high note with," Ohio coach Semeka Randall said. "The team did a great job of coming together and playing as a unit. Our freshmen stepped up today and played like they were sophomores. I am so proud of Da'Keisha Mann. She just played a great game today."
Also the sixth-ever sweep in the season series between the two schools, the win gives the `Cats their first four-game home winning streak since the end of the 2006-07 season. The Ohio men's basketball team also completed a sweep of Miami this season, making this the first time in school history that both the men's and women's squads have swept Miami in the same season.
Hmiel turned in an all around stat line with nine points, seven rebounds, and seven steals, the second-highest single-game total in school history. Junior guard Jenny Poff (St. John's, Mich.) contributed 14 points, including four treys, along with a season-high-tying seven assists and three steals in the win. Mann notched career highs in points, rebounds, assists, field goals made and minutes played to become the first freshman to lead Ohio in scoring this season. Fellow freshman Maxine Ohakim tied a career-best six rebounds, while Tracy Snider pitched in a career-high five points. Danielle Woodmore added a pair of assists in 20 strong minutes off the bench.
As a team, Ohio forced a season-high 26 turnovers by Miami and stole the ball on 12 occasions, tying a season best. The Bobcats shot 45.8 percent from the field while holding the RedHawks to just a 30.9 percent clip on 17-of-55 from the field overall.
The first half was not one for the scoring record books as both Ohio and Miami engaged in a defensive slugfest. With the `Cats holding a slim 16-15 advantage with 4:27 left in the half, Ohio went on an 8-3 run the last few minutes of play, spurred on by a Poff trey and a jumper at the buzz by Hmiel to take a 24-18 at the break. Both Poff and sophomore Kamille Buckner (Chicago, Ill.) led Ohio with six points apiece in the half, while Hmiel grabbed a team-high five boards in the first period. Ohio outshot Miami with a 43.5 percentage to MU's 31.8 shooting clip but was outrebounded by a margin of 18-12.
Continuing her hot shooting, Poff opened the scoring for the `Cats in the second half with her third three of the game. At the 16:18 mark, Ohio went on an 8-0 run to open up an 11-point lead. Poff then hit another trey, her fourth of the contest, with 11:47 remaining to make the score 38-26 for the `Cats. Mann provided what ultimately led to be the knockout blow on two possessions later when she converted on a bucket and the foul for the old-fashioned three-point play with 11:21 remaining.
Overall, Ohio outscored Miami 17-6 over an eight-minute stretch there in the middle of the half to take control of the game. The RedHawks never got closer than eight points in the final minutes, as freshman Maxine Ohakim (Westerville, Ohio) hit a lay-up on a feed from Poff with 11 seconds to go, making the final score 60-48 for Ohio.
The Bobcats are now alone in second place in the East Division after Kent State fell on the road at Bowling Green. Ohio will face division-rival Akron on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to try to complete a season-sweep of the Zips.
