CPD
OHIO STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
A little rest does the Buckeyes good
Tuesday, February 19, 2008Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus -- Eight days off to prepare for a run at first place. If the break is there, take advantage of it.
Ohio State women's basketball coach Jim Foster used the longest conference rest period in his six seasons with the Buckeyes to create three days of fundamental practice as if the Buckeyes were back in preseason. Specific preparations for Purdue, which was part of a virtual three-way tie with Ohio State and Iowa for the top spot in the Big Ten, took just two days.
But Boilermakers coach Sharon Versyp, whose team played twice during the Buckeyes' break, was clearly envious, mentioning the rest as soon as she sat down at her postgame news conference Monday night.
"I think it was a huge edge. Eight days and then you're at home?" Versyp said. "It helps."
It worked. No. 23 Ohio State beat Purdue, 72-56, as the Buckeyes maintained control of their Big Ten title hopes with Iowa coming to Columbus on Thursday night. Iowa is 11-4 in conference play, Ohio State 10-4 and Purdue 10-5.
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