Women's Basketball
Buckeyes Turn Tables on Gophers to Gain Season Split
By John Porentas

Ohio State got double-figure scoring from four players and forced 21 turnovers while limiting their own turnovers to just 11 en route to a convincing 76-62 win over Minnesota. The Buckeyes (17-5, 8-3 Big Ten) lost to Minnesota (15-8, 6-5 Big Ten) in Minneapolis on January 24 by a score of 79-70 in a game where the Gophers were more physical and more aggressive. In Columbus, it was just the opposite story.

"I thought the more physical and aggressive team won tonight," said Minnesota Head Coach Pam Borton.

"We pride ourselves on being a physical and aggressive team an with an attacking mentality and I thought they took it right to us and played our game. The turnovers killed us. They had 29 points off of our turnovers and 38 points in the paint," said. Borton.

OSU Head Coach Jim Foster juggled his starting lineup giving a start to freshman Brittany Johnson in favor of senior captain Marscilla Packer. Packer logged just nine minutes in the first half and scored two points. Packer got the start in the second half and was on fire. Packer made five of nine from the field in the second half that included three-point field goals on three straight possessions to fuel an OSU run that decided the game. Packer scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half. Foster gave no reason for his decision not to start Packer.

"It was just at team decision and we're moving in. I thought Marscilla played very well. She proved she can come off the bench," said Foster.

OSU's offense has been dominated by freshman center Jantel Lavender most this season, but against the Gophers it was OSU's perimeter players that stood out. Ashlee Trebilcock added a game-high 19 points to Packers output while Shavelle Little and Maria Moeller combined for 12 points from the point guard position. Trebilcock also added a game-high five assists. Defensively, OSU's perimeter players also clamped down on Minnesota guards Emily Fox and Brittany McCoy. In the first meeting of the season Fox and McCoy combined for 21 points against the Buckeyes. This time around they were limited to a combined 13 points on a combined 4-21 shooting from the field. OSU also controlled Leslie Knight who went off for 33 in Minneapolis but was held to just 16 this time around.

"I thought both Ashlee and Marscilla played extremely well," said Borton.

"I thought they out played us on both ends of the floor. I thought they were the difference-makers in the game. I also thought (OSU senior baseline player Tam) Riley did a great job on Leslie (Knight) and just was very physical with her and played well on both ends," said Borton.

OSU was hard-nosed on defense and near-surgical on offense. The Buckeyes racked up 18 assists in scoring 32 baskets, turned the ball over just 11 times and shot 55 percent from the field.

"I thought our ball movement was terrific," said OSU Head Coach Jim Foster.

"I thought our guards played slow and quick, which is better than fast," said Foster.

"I thought our ball movement the whole game was a lot better than it's been," agreed Trebilcock. "I think we really did a good job of that. and our defensive intensity turned into a lot of good offense today."

OSU scored 29 points off Minnesota turnovers.

The Gophers got off to a quick start and took an early six point lead at 10-4, but the Buckeyes took over at 11-10 and never trailed again in the game. OSU led by five at the half OSU outscored Minnesota by 11 in the second half behind the hot shooting of Packer and solid defense that held Minnesota to 42 percent shooting in the game. Freshman center Jantel Lavender reached double figures with 12 points but had some problems finishing. Lavender was 6-14 from the field with most of her misses coming from close to the basket. Lavender was also 0-2 from the free throw line.

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