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The Daily OrangeWBB | Hot-shooting Buckeyes too much for SU
By Conor Orr
Posted: 11/20/08, 1:39 AM EST Section: Sports
Syracuse did everything by the book Wednesday night. The Orange out-rebounded its opponent, played tough defense and made its free throws. But SU didn't take one factor into consideration: Ohio State simply couldn't miss.
The No. 17 Buckeyes' (3-0) sharp-shooting - 45 percent for the game, 55 percent in the second half - lifted Ohio State past Syracuse, 78-71, at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday night. The loss was the first of the season for the Orange (2-1).
"When you look at the final statistics, we won the game in every statistical category you would look at to determine a winner," Syracuse assistant coach Rick Moody said in a phone interview from Columbus. "But the one statistic that ultimately determines the winner of any game is field-goal percentage, and they shot 46 percent and we shot 38."
At the outset, Syracuse's 2-3 zone aimed to shut down last year's Big Ten Player of the Year, Jantel Lavender. But Lavender, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, was able to muscle her way to the paint against an undersized Syracuse lineup.
Lavender tallied 22 points off 9-of-11 shooting while hauling in 10 rebounds.
"We had someone trying to keep her from touching the ball every time down the floor," Moody said. "We tried to front her and make her work hard just to receive a pass and when she did we had two on her - but she is a great, great player."
The Orange loss was made worse by the potential injury to junior forward Nicole Michael. With less than four minutes to play, Michael sustained a head injury that required a hospital visit late Wednesday night, Moody said. No official word is available on her status.
Throughout the first half, the Orange zone was puzzled by a balanced offensive gameplan from the Buckeyes. Although the Orange was mainly concerned with Lavender on the inside, Ohio State scored nine of its first 11 points off jump shots from outside the paint.
When sophomore guards Tasha Harris and Erica Morrow stepped out to prevent open shots, the Buckeyes would again use the post-strength and size advantage of Lavender.
The No. 17 Buckeyes' (3-0) sharp-shooting - 45 percent for the game, 55 percent in the second half - lifted Ohio State past Syracuse, 78-71, at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday night. The loss was the first of the season for the Orange (2-1).
"When you look at the final statistics, we won the game in every statistical category you would look at to determine a winner," Syracuse assistant coach Rick Moody said in a phone interview from Columbus. "But the one statistic that ultimately determines the winner of any game is field-goal percentage, and they shot 46 percent and we shot 38."
At the outset, Syracuse's 2-3 zone aimed to shut down last year's Big Ten Player of the Year, Jantel Lavender. But Lavender, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, was able to muscle her way to the paint against an undersized Syracuse lineup.
Lavender tallied 22 points off 9-of-11 shooting while hauling in 10 rebounds.
"We had someone trying to keep her from touching the ball every time down the floor," Moody said. "We tried to front her and make her work hard just to receive a pass and when she did we had two on her - but she is a great, great player."
The Orange loss was made worse by the potential injury to junior forward Nicole Michael. With less than four minutes to play, Michael sustained a head injury that required a hospital visit late Wednesday night, Moody said. No official word is available on her status.
Throughout the first half, the Orange zone was puzzled by a balanced offensive gameplan from the Buckeyes. Although the Orange was mainly concerned with Lavender on the inside, Ohio State scored nine of its first 11 points off jump shots from outside the paint.
When sophomore guards Tasha Harris and Erica Morrow stepped out to prevent open shots, the Buckeyes would again use the post-strength and size advantage of Lavender.
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