There is something to be said for consistency in sports, and nobody can ever say Jantel Lavender is not all that and then some, as the ultra talented center made it look easy in leading the Lady Buckeyes to their third straight Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship.
Lavender scored 23 points and added 15 rebounds and six assists to her impressive tourney resume, as Ohio State turned back a good Penn State team 84-70 at Conseco Fieldhouse. While she had plenty of help from her teammates, the day belonged to Lavender as she was named the most outstanding player for the third straight year.
“This has certainly been meaningful and a lot of fun,” said Lavender, the soft spoken senior from Cleveland. “To get to this point from where we were a month ago really is special.”
Lavender’s running mate at point guard, Samantha Prahalis, was nothing less than spectacular herself as she too scored 23 points in addition to a game high nine assists. “It’s all about our defense” said the modest, yet tough as nails floor general from Commack, N.Y. “We like to get out in transition, and today we were making the extra passes and looking for good shots.”
OSU shooting guard Tayler Hill completed the trio of double figure scorers for the Lady Buckeyes by dropping in 17, with nine of those coming from behind the arc where she was three for five on the day.
Penn State was led by Mia Nickson, who tallied 17 points on the day, and by former Ben Davis High School standout Alex Bentley, who dropped in 16 for the Lady Lions who finished the season at 24-9.
The announced attendance for the championship game was 6,227, but there is no way that figure was accurate. While that figure may reflect the number of seats distributed, there were far fewer people in the stands. The Indiana Sports Corporation, in conjunction with the Big Ten Conference does a fabulous job in putting on this tourney, and the ladies who played provided first class competition and entertainment for those in attendance.
The tickets were very reasonably priced and Conseco Fieldhouse is a wonderful venue, offering a great atmosphere and convenience for all those who made the trek. In my opinion, it is time to black out the Big Ten Network’s local broadcast and perhaps put some of those who watch from home in the stands. Just a thought
NOTES: Alex Bentley spoke candidly with me after the game in surmising Penn State’s chances in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. “We are a good team and we have an opportunity to distinguish ourselves in the NCAA.” She also added she continues to follow the Lady Giants of Ben Davis High School and was able to attend their recent game against Carmel.
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Penn State coach Coquese Washington called Bentley “The engine that drives our team.” “I was very pleased she was able to come here to Indianapolis and have a good showing at home.”
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OSU shot 51.5 percent from the field and held Penn State to just 35 percent.
Despite pushing the tempo all day, the Lady Buckeyes committed just 12 turnovers and had 19 assists on 34 field goals.
Ohio State coach Jim Foster could not say enough about senior forward Sarah Schulze. “The young lady is playing on one leg, and her effort and her attitude is an inspiration to everyone, he said.”
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Danny Bridges, who feels Jantel Lavender would look great in an Indiana Fever uniform, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
