Funn, Ragland Lead Oregon State past Ohio Women
Duo combines for 61 points in 99-72 victory

Contact: Jim Stephan, 740-593-1298 or sports.media@ohio.edu

ATHENS, Ohio (November 30, 2000) -- Nicole Funn and Felicia Ragland combined for 61 of Oregon State's 99 points and the Beavers shot 59.0 percent from the floor to defeat Ohio 99-72 Thursday night at the Convocation Center. For both players, the scoring totals were new career highs. Jacquie Negrelli came off the bench to lead the Bobcats with 24 points.

Oregon State (4-0) saw its dynamic duo shine over the two halves of play. Funn bested her career high by halftime, notching 21 of her total, while Ragland tallied 24 of her points after intermission.

The Bobcats (1-2) played their visitors from the PAC-10 tough with the exception of one stretch in each half. Ohio led 27-26 with 5:20 remaining before the break, when the Beavers exploded for 17 straight points and a 43-27 lead with 50 seconds to play. After a basket by Heather Laughlin, OSU tallied consecutive baskets to end the period on a 21-2 spurt, leading 47-29.

Ohio scored the first five points in a span of 1:13 to start the second period, cutting its deficit to 13, 47-34. The Beavers pushed the lead back to 15, 57-42 at the 14:17 mark before Ohio made its final charge. The Bobcats trimmed the margin to 10 five times in the next eight minutes, but could never close to single digits. With the score 73-63 with 6:31 left, Oregon State used a 17-2 run open a 25-point lead, 90-65, and secure the victory.

Beckie Fischer tallied a career-high 16 points for the Bobcats, while Ronita Whitfield also topped double figures with 11 points.

Ohio continues its five-game homestand Saturday night when Pittsburgh comes to The Convo for a 7 p.m. tipoff. Oregon State stays on the road for another contest, Saturday afternoon at Marquette.