New Year Opens with `Cats Hosting Colgate - OHIOBOBCATS.COM

New Year Opens with `Cats Hosting Colgate
Ohio wraps up nonconference slate with Raiders

Ohio wraps up nonconference play as it welcomes Colgate to the Convo Jan. 2.

Dec. 31, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio - Looking to make a tough December a thing of the past and open a new decade with a bang, Ohio women's basketball wraps up its nonconference slate as it plays host to Colgate Jan. 2 in the Convo. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

BETWEEN THE LINES
• Ohio (3-9) and Colgate (5-7) will be meeting for the first-time ever in women's basketball.
• The `Cats will be looking to snap a six-game losing skid.
• Colgate will mark the second Patriot League opponent Ohio has faced this year. The Green and White fell to Navy at home back on Nov. 16.
• According to available records, the `Cats will be facing a Patriot League squad for the seventh time in the program's history. Ohio is 4-2 against the league.

TOUGH D
Ohio has held eight of its 12 opponents under 60 points.

POP OFF THE PINE
Ohio's bench has scored 20-plus points in each of the `Cats' last four games and are averaging 23.5 ppg. in this span.

CLOSING IN ON THE RECORD
Junior Kamille Buckner needs 2 blocks to tie and 3 blocks to break the school's all-time record held by Holly Skeen (115, 1991-95).

RECAPPING LAST GAME
Ohio ran into an angry bunch of Gators on the road in Gainesville Monday evening as it fell 78-49 to Florida of the SEC in the O'Connell Center. Jenny Poff scored a team-high 12 points to lead the `Cats ... As had been problematic for Ohio (3-9) in past games, turnovers bit the Green and White as it gave the ball up 39 times, which resulted in 42 big points for the Gators (6-6). The `Cats' defense forced Florida in to 26 turnovers, but Ohio was unable to capitalize the way it needed, while Florida shot 61 percent from the field in the second half to pull away ... Poff's 12 points led the `Cats, while Jennifer Bushby chipped in seven points to go with a solid stat line that also included four rebounds, three steals and a block. Da'Keisha Mann scored six points, and Carolyn Barnett and Ashley Fowler each scored five. Maxine Ohakim pulled down four rebounds to equal Bushby for team-high honors, and Kamille Buckner picked up a block herself to move to within two of tying the school's all-time record for blocked shots.

SCOUTING COLGATE
Colgate enters the contest with a 5-7 record after dropping each of its last seven games after opening the season 5-0. The Raiders fell to Detroit Mercy 67-44 Wednesday night on the road. Pamela Bass is in her third season at the helm of the program.

Colgate enters the contest averaging 60.2 ppg. and is a disciplined squad that takes care of the ball and rebounds well. The Raiders are pulling down better than 40 rebounds a contest coming in. Defensively, teams are averaging 62.5 ppg. on 37 percent shooting from the field.

Junior Sami Kozlowski leads two Colgate players in double figures at 11.8 ppg. Sophomore center Tricia Oakes is the Raiders' other double-digit scorer at 10.4 ppg. and has been a force in the middle as well, as she is averaging 6.2 rpg. ... Jhazmine Lynch (9.8 ppg.) and Candice Green (8.5 ppg.) are also capable scorers for Colgate, while junior Krista Moser paces the Raiders on the glass at 6.9 rpg. to go with her 7.2 ppg.

SERIES HISTORY
Ohio and Colgate will be meeting for the first time ever on the hardwood.

OHIO & THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
According to available records, the `Cats will be facing a Patriot League squad for the seventh time in the program's history. Ohio is 4-2 all-time against the league with two wins apiece over Lehigh and Navy. The Green and White fell to the Midshipmen 55-51 in its home opener back on Nov. 16.

BITTEN BY THE TURNOVER BUG
Ohio fell victim to the turnover bug against Florida. The `Cats gave the ball up 39 times, which resulted in Gator points.

TURNING OVER THE GATORS
While Ohio struggled with turnovers itself against the Gators, the Green and White forced Florida into 26 turnovers, a season-high for the SEC squad, whose schedule has included two Top 25 teams and Rutgers, a perennial strength on the national level.

POFF LONG DISTANCE WATCH
After knocking down two treys against Florida, Jenny Poff moved to within eight three's of tying Candace Bates (155, 2000-04) for second place on Ohio's career list for 3-pointers made. She is currently second on the all-time list for 3-pointers attempted as well, behind only Cathy Szall (1998-02).

WATCH OUT FOR THAT THIEF!
Jennifer Bushby's three steals against Florida gave her 140 for her career and put her just one theft away from tying Kelly Weir (141, 1989-93) for 10th on the Ohio's all-time list. Bushby is just three steals from tying Kim Walton (143, 1985-88) for ninth and four from tying Erin Isbell (144, 2001-05) for eighth on the all-time list.