Syracuse University
Ohio University
Orange Faces True Road Test at Ohio
12/4/2009 4:06:34 PM | Women's Basketball
Read Game Notes
ATHENS, Ohio – The rv/rv Syracuse women's basketball team will attempt to go 8-0 for the first time since 1978-79 when it travels to Ohio University for its first true road test on Sunday, December 6 at 2 p.m. The Orange is 2-0 in neutral site games, but has not played a true road game this season. The game can be heard live on SU's flagship station WTLA 1200/1400 AM, or on Syracuse's student station, WJPZ 89.1 FM. Live audio for every Orange game is available on SUathletics.com via Orange All Access. Live video and statistics are also available on OhioBobcats.com.
Last Time Out
The Orange last defeated Wager, 93-55, on December 2. Freshman center Kayla Alexander led all scorers with a career-high 23 points, while senior forward Nicole Michael and junior guard Erica Morrow were among SU's other double-digit scorers as they contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively. Freshmen guards Elashier Hall and Carmen Tyson-Thomas grounded the SU defense with a team-leading nine rebounds and six points each. Syracuse dominated the Seahawks in all scoring categories, including 42-20 points in the paint, while collecting 18 fast break points to Wagner's two.
Harris is Among Best in the Nation
Junior guard Tasha Harris is ranked fifth in the country in assist/turnover ratio with 3.5, while also topping the BIG EAST rankings. She has a team-leading 35 assists and just 10 turnovers through seven games. Several other Orange women are prominent in both the NCAA and BIG EAST rankings, including Michael, whose 3.3 3-point field goals made is second in the league and 29th in the nation. She is also second in the BIG EAST and 37th in the country with 19.2 points per game, while Alexander's 1.8 blocked shots ties for first in the conference and is 52 in the NCAA rankings.
Alexander Has Freshman Impact
Freshman center Kayla Alexander has recorded 41 points in her last two games, going 13-of-19 (.684) from the field and 15-of-19 (.789) from the free-throw line. She has also recorded 10 rebounds and two blocks on the season. Prior to her career-high 23 points against Wagner, she had 18 points, four rebounds and one block in just 14 minutes of playing time in SU's 80-64 win against Butler on November 27. She was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. She went on an 11 point run with the score at 61-53 with 6:31 remaining to give the Orange a comfortable 72-60 lead with just 2:22 left in the game.
Orange Against the Bobcats
Sunday's contest will mark the second consecutive year the Orange has faced the Bobcats. Last season, SU hosted Ohio and won the matchup, 67-62, with the help of Michael (23 points) and Morrow (19 points).
Scouting Ohio
The Bobcats (3-3) wrapped up its Utah road trip with a 57-43 win at Utah Valley on December 3. It had 27 points from the bench, while the defense limited UVU to just 27 percent shooting. Maxine Ohakim led the team with a career-high 16 points off the pine, while Danielle Woodmore chipped in a career-best 11 points, all in the second half and off the bench. Through its first six games, Ohio is holding its opposition to just 35.7 percent (117-328) shooting from the field and 52.7 points per game. Jennifer Bushby leads the team with 10.2 points per game and 2.2 steals per contest and a team-high tying 6.5 rebounds per game.
