Wrong!
They cited lessons learned from past mistakes in the 2006 and 2007 NCAA tournament, and lessons learned from the Illinois game. Yet, the Lady Buckeyes took to the court in front of a packed arena of what was probably no more than 100 people and, well, basically replayed the Illinois game, falling 60-49 to the 11th seeded Seminoles.
Sadly, the Buckeyes never really were in it, as they quickly fell behind 18-9 midway through the first half, with Jantel Lavender accounting for all 9 Buckeye points… in 10 minutes. Yuck. Lavender did have the hot hand for the Bucks in the first half (indeed, probably the only set of hands as the Buckeyes committed 17 turnovers in the game), but would cool off later in the second half. She would finish with a still respectable 21pts off of 10-24 shooting and 9rebs.
Marscilla Packer would also rewind and replay her Illinois effort, being hounded all game to 4-13 shooting for 13pts, 6rebs and 5 assists in 39 minutes. Again, Ashlee Trebilcock would be a nonfactor offensively, and would ride the pine for the latter stages of the game. Maria Moeller saw the greater share of minutes, finishing with a rebound and an assist in 20 minutes of game time. Star Allen, who returned from academic ineligibility, finished with 4pts and 2rebs. Tamarah Riley had more fouls (5) than points (3) in 27 minutes of game time.
Like Rebecca Harris for the Illini in the Big Ten Tourney, Tanae Davis-Cain would torch the Buckeyes for 27pts off of 10-26 shooting, also chipping in 7 rebounds. Her efforts, combined with Mara Freshour’s 14pts and 12rebs would keep a healthy cushion between the Seminoles and the Buckeyes, getting as high as 20 points midway through the second half. The Bucks would respond by going on an 11-0 run over the next 5 minutes to cut the margin to nine.
However, the Buckeyes would only score 5 points in the final 5 minutes. They would ultimately lose, 60-49, formally denying me my quest to have some kind of postseason championship t-shirt to buy.
Dammit.
The men, however, will try to keep hope alive on Monday in St. John’s Arena against California. Max is showing up, so therefore, you must all show up as well. We must all chip in and do our part in my quest to finally have some kind of postseason championship t-shirt to purchase.
… …
Sigh…
Well, at least covering the women’s team was a flimsy pretext for incorporating some Blazing Saddles into the blog.
Take down those Cal bears. Can’t exactly feel too bad for the women’s team though. No matter how far they make in their tournament, its going to be Tennessee, North Carolina or Duke or a combination thereof who will win. Its almost as if its scripted.