Dispatch
Davenport is too big a challenge for Black Knights
Monday, November 13, 2006
Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
JIM MCKNIGHT ASSOCIATED PRESS Ohio State?s Star Allen puts up a shot while being guarded by Army defender Megan Evans.
WEST POINT, N.Y. ? All the emotion in the world couldn?t help Army find a rebound against Ohio State yesterday in the opening game of the season for both women?s basketball teams.
No matter that the Black Knights desperately wanted to win the inaugural Maggie Dixon Classic in memory of their late coach. They found the seventh-ranked Buckeyes simply too big, too fast and too talented to allow the fairytale ending.
Senior Jessica Davenport powered OSU to a 77-41 victory in Cristl Arena with 22 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots. Davenport, whose 6-foot-5 frame allowed her to play over the top of the smaller Black Knights, did her damage in just 24 minutes.
In the first half alone, the Buckeyes out- rebounded Army 21-4 while breaking to 47-26 lead. The dominance quickly quieted the crowd of 2,785, which included the vocal and uniformed Corps of Cadets.
"We did things well," said Davenport, who was 9 of 10 from the field. "As the game moved on, we picked up defensively and offensively. I think we got those first-game jitters out and just played our game."
The afternoon marked the return of senior guard Brandie Hoskins. When last seen in the NCAA Tournament upset loss to Boston College in March, she was being carried off the court after suffering a ruptured right Achilles? tendon.
Surgery and months of rehabilitation and practice led to this game. Hoskins responded with 13 points, five assists and two steals while helping freshman point guard Maria Moeller get through her first college game.
"I was really anxious and really ready," Hoskins said. "I think my teammates did a good job of getting me ready. I feel great. We won. That helps."
The lopsided score allowed coach Jim Foster to use all 12 players on his roster for at least five minutes each. At one point in the second half, he had all five freshmen on the floor.
"I was sitting there watching five freshmen for about 3:51. I probably aged about two years," Foster said. "But they did a pretty good job."
He was particularly pleased with the performance of 6-5 center Andrea Walker.
"We?ve been telling her about how fast she?s playing and she?s got to slow down in games," Foster said. "All of a sudden, she made three back-to-thebasket moves at the tempo that is going to allow her to be successful at this level, and we didn?t see it coming."
The Buckeyes did expect the emotion in the arena during the pregame ceremony honoring Dixon, who died in April of heart arrhythmia at the age of 28. Her parents, brother and sister received Patriot League championship rings.
"Our kids knew what was going on," Foster said. "We felt it was a great honor to be involved in this. This is a great educational place, and the tradition and the history of it are mind-boggling. I think we were just proud to be part of something that we hope is an annual affair. We?ll always be the first."
Junior Tamarah Riley roared off the OSU bench to score 10 points and pull down a careerhigh nine rebounds. Cara Enright led Army with 20 points.