Dec. 12, 2009

Ohio-Duquesne Game Notes

ATHENS, Ohio - Looking to rebound from a pair of tough losses, Ohio women's basketball (3-5) wraps up its Keystone State swing against Duquesne (6-3) Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Palumbo Center.

BETWEEN THE LINES
• Ohio and Duquesne will be meeting for the sixth time in the all-time series Sunday.
• The `Cats are playing their third Sunday game of the season. They are 1-1 in these games.
• According to available records, the `Cats are 8-17 all-time against the Atlantic 10 Conference. Ohio knocked off George Washington 70-58 on Nov. 22.
• Duquesne was a WNIT team a season ago.

RECAPPING LAST GAME
There wasn't a whole lot of love to be found for Ohio women's basketball in the City of Brotherly Love as the Bobcats fell 65-43 to a strong Temple team Thursday night in McGonigle Hall. Sophomore Da'Keisha Mann tied her career best with a game-high 16 points to lead Ohio on the evening ... An NCAA Tournament from a season ago, Temple showed why as it pressured the Green and White into 31 turnovers, which resulted in 33 Owl points. Temple shot 42 percent from the field, while the `Cats finished at a 36 percent clip. Ohio battled strong on the boards, outrebounding the Owls 34-32, including 15 on the offensive glass, and holding Temple nine rebounds below its season average ... Mann's 16 points led the way for the `Cats, while Carolyn Barnett chipped in a season-best seven points, all off the bench in the second half. Maxine Ohakim tied her career-high seven rebounds to go with six points of her own off the bench, while Kamille Buckner led the Green and White with eight rebounds and two blocks. Mann tallied three steals to lead Ohio defensively and also tied a career-best three assists, equaling Ashley Fowler and Jennifer Bushby for team-high honors.

SCOUTING DUQUESNE
The Dukes enter the game with a 6-3 record overall, having dropped their last two games to Robert Morris and Lehigh, respectively. Duquesne went 20-12 last year and qualified for the WNIT. Head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio is in her third season at the helm of the program.

The Dukes sport a high-scoring offense that is averaging 70.7 ppg. and is shooting at a 43.9 percent clip from the field, including 37.7 percent from distance. Defensively, Duquesne is giving up 65.9 ppg. on 41.9 percent shooting from the field, while also forcing the opposition into 22 turnovers per game to go with nearly 11 steals an outing.

Sophomore forward Alex Gensler leads the team in scoring at 13.2 ppg. and is averaging 3.4 rpg. and 1.2 bpg. Joining her in double figures is senior Keri Pryor at 4.3 ppg. Senior Rachel Frederick leads the team in rebounding at 5.6 rpg.

SERIES HISTORY
According to available records, Sunday's game will mark the sixth meeting all-time between the Bobcats and Dukes. Duquesne holds a slight 3-2 lead in the series, having won the last two meetings. The two last met Dec. 3, 2005 with the Dukes claiming a tight 82-79 win in overtime. Duquesne has won both meetings in the Steel City, with the last matchup taking place Dec. 31, 2004.

COLOR CHANGE
Duquesne senior forward Rachel Frederick started her career at Ohio, playing two seasons for the Bobcats before transferring to Duquesne following the 2006-07 season. She led Ohio in rebounding each of her two seasons in Athens.

OHIO & THE ATLANTIC 10
According to available records, The `Cats are 8-17 all-time against the A-10. Ohio knocked off George Washington 70-58 back on Nov. 22. The `Cats are 2-4 in their last six games against A-10 teams.

WHO'S AHEAD?
Ohio will face Duquesne Sunday afternoon before playing host to UNC Wilmington and Clemson before Christmas break.