of the Year. So how is this a #4 seed, you ask? There was some uncertainty following a season-ending injury to star guard Brandie Hoskins, who averaged 14.3 points per game. This was a marquee first-round match-up. Ohio State was 28-3. Marist was 27-4. The 55 combined wins represented the highest combined total of any NCAA first-round game in 2007. In an oral history on the Red Foxes’ run in ‘07, Kresge described the journey out west as a “business trip.” As the game unfolded, it was clear the Red Foxes were ready to get down to business. Ohio State got off to a quick start, but Marist settled in. The Red Foxes took their first lead on a bucket by Rachele Fitz at the 8:56 mark of the first half. The Buckeyes went on a 7-0 run late in the half, but a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Julianne Viani cut the Red Foxes’ deficit to 34-30 after 20 minutes. The momentum did not swing to the Red Foxes immediately. Ohio State’s lead reached a game high of eight just 1:23 into the second half, but Marist remained undeterred. The Buckeyes had a stretch of six consecutive made field goals, but Smrdel kept the Red Foxes close with three-pointers on back-to-back possessions. She scored eight points in a stretch of 2:43.
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Thank You, Coach Giorgis
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