Women’s Basketball Hosts Xavier Tonight – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/23/1998 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
November 23, 1998
TONIGHT – The Buckeyes are 1-1 and back in action following a 92-84 overtime loss to Kentucky on inaugural night in Value City Arena Thursday. The Musketeers return to play after nearly a week off. Xavier, also 1-1, downed Wright State 89-57 on Tuesday.
AT THE HELM – The Buckeyes are mentored by Coach Beth Burns (Ohio Wesleyan ’79), who is guiding the program to success both on and off the court. Last season in her inaugural campaign at OSU, Burns funneled energy and enthusiasm into a squad that posted a promising 15-12 campaign. In addition, two players earned all-conference laurels, while another three were honored as OSU Scholar-Athletes.
Burns’ hiring in April 1997 capped an eight year, highly-regarded career at San Diego State (151-82). The three-time WAC Coach of the Year (1994, ’95 & ’97) captured three conference championships and led the Aztecs to NCAA Tournament appearances in four of the last five years.
Celebrating her 10th head coaching season this fall, her second with the Buckeyes, Burns touts a career mark of 167-95 (.637).
ON OHIO STATE – Ohio State suffered its first loss of the season, and for the second consecutive year, at the hand of Kentucky, 92-84 in overtime. Senior forward Larecha Jones led the Buckeyes with a game-high 30 points. Teammate Marrita Porter added 25 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Jaye Barnes and Erica Jackson paced five UK players in double-figures with 21 each.
The Wildcats were nearly unstoppable in their shooting efforts, shooting 68 percent from the floor in both halves.
Trailing 40-35 at intermission, Jones got the Buckeyes moving, posting the first 12 points of the second half that allowed their largest lead of the game, 47-42, with 16:46 to play. Much like their season-opener at Kansas State, the score was tied several times (seven) down the stretch, the last at the end of regulation when the Buckeyes rallied from an eight-point deficit. The Wildcats won the overtime session 11-3. NOTING THE BUCKEYES – Senior forward Marrita Porter marked her ninth career double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds vs. UK … Sophomore Guard Jamie Lewis, dishing out a league-leading 6.0 assists per game, averaged a school record 5.9 assists per game last season … Senior forward Larecha Jones ranks second in league scoring with 21.5 ppg.
CAPTAINS – Seniors Roslyn Barker, Mindy Fusetti, Larecha Jones and Marrita Porter are captains of the 1998-99 Buckeye Basketball squad.
HOW TOUGH ARE WE? – Only time will tell, but currently Ohio State will play 11 opponents, seven in the league, that are either ranked or receiving votes in the national polls. In the AP Poll, the Buckeyes will face Top 25 squads in Purdue (No. 1), Rutgers (No. 10), Illinois (No. 24) and Wisconsin (No. 25). Receiving votes in either poll were Penn State, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Hawaii, St. Mary’s (Calif.) and Kansas State.
INJURY REPORT
Marrita Porter – Underwent surgery Nov. 3 to tighten a screw which keeps the rod in her right tibia intact … Practices were limited through 11-6. Averaging 37 minutes per game.
Jamie Lewis & Larecha Jones – Lewis missed about one week of practice following an on-court collision with teammate Larecha Jones on Oct. 31. The duo was attempting to keep a basketball in play when Jones’ knee hit Lewis in the head, causing a concussion. Jones required stitches between the fourth and fifth fingers on her left hand but suffered no setbacks in practice. Lewis participated in her first full practice on Nov. 9 and is averaging 33.0 minutes each outing.
ROSTER CHANGE – Sophomore center Heather Frank is applying for a medical hardship after surgery and recent testing on the stress fracture in her left foot revealed she would be unable to continue her collegiate career. The Milan, Mich., native competed in 18 games as a freshman, averaging 1.7 points and 1.1 rebounds per game.
NOTING XAVIER – Xavier is coached by Melanie Balcomb who guided the team to a 17-12 record last season and third-place finish in the Atlantic10 west division at 11-5. Four starters are back, including sophomore forward Jennifer Phillips, a second team preseason all-conference pick who leads the squad in scoring and rebounding (15.5/8.0). Another player to watch is redshirt freshman Erin Senser, a native of Westerville and candidate for all-rookie team honors. Senser is averaging 6.0 points per game off 46 percent shooting from the floor. The Musketeers, 1-1, lost their season opener to Toledo (93-64) Nov. 13 in the opening round of the WNIT but rebounded with a 89-57 win vs. Wright State Tuesday.
LAST YEAR WITH XAVIER – In front of a record Schmidt Fieldhouse crowd, Ohio State defeated Xavier 77-63 to improve its record to 4-0. The Buckeyes controlled the first half, enjoying an 11-point led at the half 41-30. Midway in the second half, the Musketeers cut the lead to three, 53-50, but OSU turned on the jets, mounting a 14-1 run to take their largest lead of the game, 67-51, with 6:38 to play. Four players enjoyed double-figure scoring games led by senior forward Marrita Porter with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Connie Hamberg led Xavier with 16 points.
THE SERIES – Ohio State leads the series, 2-0, posting back-to-back wins the last two seasons by an average 17.0 points.
Date Site Finish 11-28-98 at Xavier W, 77-63 11- 6-97 in Columbus W, 90-70 Official Firsts In Value City Arena
The Buckeyes marked these official firsts in their inaugural game in Value City Arena Nov. 19. OSU Firsts
Field Goal Marrita Porter @18:45 in first half 3-Pt. FG Jamie Lewis @17:32 in first half Free Throw Marrita Porter @18:15 in first half Assist Larecha Jones @18:45in first half Steal Michaela Moua @18:57 in first half Block – – Foul Larecha Jones @19:03 in first half Starters Marrita Porter, Michaela Moua, Larecha Jones, Jamie Lewis, Roslyn Barker.
Buckeye Facts and Figures
* The Buckeyes enjoy one of the largest radio networks in the country. WBNS Radio (1460 AM) serves as the flagship station for 41 affiliates statewide.
* The Buckeyes are welcoming the first Alaskan and Californian to the fold this fall. Freshman guard Laura Ingham from East Anchorage High School and junior transfer Courtney Bale who played two seasons at San Diego State, her first for Coach Burns. The Vista, Calif. native will be eligible to play next season.
* Head Coach Beth Burns shares the same birthday as floor leader, sophomore Jamie Lewis. The two exchanged well-wishes on Oct. 7. Freshman point guard Laura Ingham celebrates two days later on Oct. 9.
* Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center is the largest playing venue for women’s basketball in the Big Ten Conference and one of the largest capacity university arenas in the country.
* The late Jerome Schottenstein, for whom the JSC is named, was a longtime Columbus businessman and philanthropist, and the founder and former Chairman of the Schottenstein Stores Corporation.
* More than $1.2 million in art is displayed in the JSC. The terrazzo flooring is a significant part of the artistic influence which was created through the use of various stones, glass and metals to create images that represent the history of Ohio State Athletics. Artist Alexis Smith is creating an image of Buckeye Averrill Roberts (1990-93) in the southeast entrance. Players from the 1916 intramural team are located in the rotunda.
* For the sixth consecutive season, the Big Ten topped every conference in the nation in women’s basketball attendance with 600,000 fans in 1997-98. The Buckeyes entertained more than 85,000 throughout the season.
* * The Buckeyes are facing three opponents for the first time this season – each in the Hawai’i Invitational, Dec. 12-14. Ohio State will enjoy first-time meetings against St. Mary’s (Calif.), Texas Southern and host Hawai’i.
* Coach/Administrator Phyllis Bailey and four players out of the Buckeye Basketball program enjoy membership in the Department of Athletics Sports Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Members Inducted Phyllis Bailey, Coach, Admin., 1965-94 1993 Kim Jordan, 1977-80 1994 Amy Tucker, 1979-82 1994 Yvette Angel, 1981-85 1997 Tracey Hall Yarbrough,1985-88 1998
