Dec. 11, 2011
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
ATHENS, Ohio - Senior Tenishia Benson and sophomore Shavon Robinson each scored 15 points apiece to lead the Ohio University women's basketball team (4-5) to a convincing 63-53 victory over San Francisco (1-10) Sunday afternoon at the Convocation Center. Ohio never trailed throughout the contest and at one point opened up a lead as large as 17 points.
Benson (Akron, Ohio) and Robinson (Canton, Ohio) were two of four Bobcats that finished in double figures. Benson also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Ohio's four players in double figures marked the third time this season the Bobcats have placed three-or-more players in double digits. The Bobcats are now 3-0 in those contests.
Ohio was very successful from the free-throw line during Sunday's win, connecting on 17 of 21 attempts (81 percent). The Bobcats also claimed their second highest rebounding total of the season, collecting 46 rebounds (including 21 offensive) to San Francisco's 33.
"To highlight some things, 17-of-21 from the free-throw line is tremendous," said Head Coach Semeka Randall. "Our rebounding was fantastic as a unit and we didn't turn the basketball over while picking up 12 assists and 11 steals."
Juniors Alesia Howard (Columbus, Ohio) and Ashley Fowler (Cincinnati, Ohio) also chipped in with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Howard scored eight of her 13 points in the second half. One of the best parts about Howard's performance on Sunday was her ability to get multiple put-back baskets. The junior collected four offensive rebounds and had a significant role in Ohio's ability to score 18 second-chance points.
The Bobcats opened up the game by going on a 12-6 run over the first six-and-a-half minutes. Junior guard Ashley Fowler (Cincinnati, Ohio) came off the bench and hit a pair of 3-pointers to key the Bobcats' attack in the early going.
San Francisco responded with a run of its own as it outscored Ohio 11-6 over the next five-and-a-half minutes, cutting the Bobcats' lead to 18-17 with 7:55 remaining in the first half.
The Bobcat defense answered in a big way as it held the Dons to just five points for the final 7:55 of the first half, limiting USF to just 2-of-7 shooting for the remainder of the frame. Ohio took a 15-point lead into the locker room, holding a 37-22 advantage.
Robinson led all first half scorers as she netted 10 points, connecting on 4-of-5 from the field. Benson also chipped in with nine points and four rebounds. As a team, Ohio held a commanding 26-13 advantage on the glass.
The Dons came out of the locker room strong as they outscored the Bobcats 19-9 over the first 8:30 minutes of the second half to cut the Bobcats' lead to five at 46-41. Ohio responded once again defensively as it held USF to seven points over the next nine minutes. During that stretch, Ohio opened up a 10-point lead with 2:19 to go to secure the win. Integral in this stretch was a key Fowler three pointer and a big put-back layup by Howard to keep the Dons at bay.
Ohio returns to action on Tuesday as it plays host to Niagara at the Convocation Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
