If Sunday’s game is any indication, the Lady Buckeyes may very well have begun a season filled with uphill battles.The Lady Buckeyes were defeated 81-70 in front of 2,190 people by the Russian Select Team of Samara [SKA] in the first exhibition game. “Overall, we did a very good job,” said Larecha Jones, an OSU forward. “Our passing needs work, but I think we did a good job.” Opening the first half of play was veteran forward Marrita Porter with a layup assisted by freshman guard Jamie Lewis. Porter, a 5-foot-11 junior from Louisville, Ky, and the leading scorer of the first half with 10 points, went 4 of 5 from the field and 2 of 4 from the line. The Buckeyes second leading scorer, junior forward Larecha Jones made 7 points the first half. Leaving the first half behind them, Samara entered the second half of play leading the Lady Buckeyes 35-39. Samara’s 6-foot forward Victoria Soboleva, who scored 11 points on the Buckeyes during the first half, went on to score 12 points in the second half. “The Russian team spreads the floor so well,” Burns said. “The Lady Buckeyes are new at handling that kind of coverage on the court. Offensively, it was the first time they had opened in a trapping zone,” she said. The second half was dominated by OSU’s 5-foot-4 freshman guard Jamie Lewis from the 3-point line. Lewis was 4 of 11 from three-point range.”If I got the shot, then I take it. I think that is how I can best contribute to this team,” Lewis said. With only nine members suited and ready to play, Burns relied heavily on Lewis, Porter, Jones, freshman guard Mandy Stanhope, sophomore forward Michaela Moua, and junior center Mindy Fusetti. “With only eight people, playing time will not be an issue,” Burns said. With six players getting over 20 minutes of play time each, endurance and fatigue was certainly an issue of concern for both the coaching staff and players. Lewis didn’t seem to wear for her 38 minutes of play, but did mention that as the season goes on fatigue may become a concern. “When it comes to training and conditioning, you get what you pay for,” Burns said. “It’s how hard you push yourself. Strength and conditioning is a 12 month process.” The Buckeyes are determined not to let this preseason loss affect the rest of the season.”I feel like we have a good start,” junior guard Rosyln Barker said. “We tried to do what Burns asked. We now have a good foundation. This was a great test against size. I think we had good defensive spurts, now we have to put it together.”While it’s not the ideal way to begin a season, Burns has already made plans to improve the team’s weak spots for their next match. “We have offensive skill,” Burns said. “Overall we are really encouraged. We had breakdowns-on the fly we have to see an assemble and adjust-we didn’t go to the glass hard enough at all.” The Lady Buckeyes face off against St. Bonaventure at home this Sunday at 2 p.m.