April 7, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio University women's basketball has received an added boost to its roster, as head coach Semeka Randall has announced the addition of University of Cincinnati transfer Tenishia Benson to the Bobcats. Benson will sit out the 2009-10 season per NCAA transfer rules before beginning her junior campaign in 2010-11.

"We're happy to welcome Tenishia to the team," Randall said. "She brings a great work ethic and a passion for the game to this program. Her winning background will further build that which has been established here already. Offensively, she is a well-rounded player that is capable of getting to the hole and stepping out and knocking down the outside shot. She is also a tough and strong defender with good defensive ability. We couldn't be more excited to have her as a part of the Bobcat family."

A junior in eligibility, Benson played two seasons with the Bearcats, starting much of her freshman campaign before injuries limited her to just 11 games as a sophomore this past year. As a freshman in 2007-08, the athletic, 5-9 guard started 23 of 28 games for Cincinnati and averaged 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-best .831 from the free throw line, good for third in the BIG EAST. She tallied three double-doubles on the season and scored a career-high 25 points against Valparaiso in her first career start. She also enjoyed success when playing against Mid-American Conference competition, tallying 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a contest against Central Michigan, earning career bests in both rebounds and assists. She averaged 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in just over 17 minutes a contest this season.

Known for her exceptional athletic ability and toughness both as a defender and on the glass, Benson is a native of Akron, Ohio. She finished her high school career at Archbishop Hoban High School as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,120 points. She also helped lead the Knights to North Coast League and district titles in 2004-05 and 2006-07. She was named Division II All-Ohio First Team as a senior. Equally as talented away from the court, she was a member of the honor society, served as class president and was on the student council in high school.

Benson is the daughter of Jeff and Renee Benson-Ludle. She has three sisters and is majoring in Hearing Speech and Language Sciences.