Buckeyes’ Comeback Falls Short Against Purdue

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 2/5 Ohio State Buckeyes (19-3, 8-3 B1G) fell to Purdue (15-6, 6-5 B1G) by a 73-65 margin on Sunday afternoon.

Purdue got hot from long range in the first quarter to build a 27-13 lead after 10 minutes. Scoring was pretty even in the second quarter as Ohio State trailed 41-29 going into the locker room. The Buckeyes had the advantage in the third quarter and tied the game in the fourth, but the Boilermakers did not let OSU regain the lead.

Taylor Thierry had 13 points in the first half on her way to 18 points and seven rebounds, reaching double figures for the 16^th time this season. Taylor Mikesell scored in double figures for the 21^st time this season, finishing with 11 points. Cotie McMahon reached double figures for the 14^th time this season, totaling 11 points. Rebeka Mikulášiková also totaled 11 points. McMahon, Thierry and Rikki Harris each had seven rebounds to lead the team.

How it Happened

Thierry got to the line to start the game before five points from Purdue. There were seven lead changes before the media timeout as Purdue held the 13-11 advantage at that point. Purdue scored eight of the next 10 to extend the lead to 21-13, forcing an Ohio State timeout with 2:10 remaining in the first quarter. The Boilermakers led 27-13 after 10 minutes as they were hot from long range.

Thierry scored the first five points in the second quarter for the Buckeyes as both teams started slowly. Ohio State trailed 36-23 at the media timeout with just under four minutes to play in the half. The Buckeyes scored the final four of the first half but trailed 41-29 going into the locker room.

Purdue opened the second half with the first five points to force an Ohio State timeout as the Boilermakers held the 46-29 advantage. The Buckeyes responded with 12 of the next 14 to trim the deficit to single digits, trailing 48-41 with 4:43 to play in the third quarter. Purdue extended the lead back up to double digits but a triple from Mikulášiková capped scoring a 52-44 after 30 minutes.

The teams traded three-pointers to open the fourth quarter. Ohio State put together a 9-0 to get within two, 55-53, with just under seven minutes to play. The Buckeyes scored five-unanswered points to tie the game at 58 on a Thierry layup. Purdue scored the next seven points to take a 65-58 lead and force an Ohio State timeout. Scoring was capped at 73-65 on free throws.

Highlights

Q1: Taylor Thierry and-one

Q2: Taylor Thierry offensive rebound

Q3: Taylor Mikesell three-pointer

Q3: Cotie McMahon offensive rebound and putback

Q3: Rebeka Mikulášiková three-pointer

Q4: Taylor Mikesell three-pointer

Q4: Cotie McMahon and-one

Game Notes

• Ohio State had the 35-33 edge on the boards, including 10-6 in the fourth quarter.
• Taylor Thierry was the first Buckeye to reach double figures, doing so for the 16^th time this season midway through the second quarter.
• Taylor Mikesell reached double figures for the 21^st time this season and finished with 11 points.
• Cotie McMahon also reached double figures, doing so for the 14^th time this season. She totaled 11 points.
• Rebeka Mikulášiková scored in double figures for the 13^th time this season, totaling 11 points.

What They Said

• Head Coach Kevin McGuff: “We had some good energy, we looked good in our press until we hit a stretch where we didn’t. We have to get way closer to 40 minutes and clean up the type of basketball we’re capable of if we want to win. Credit to Purdue, they came in and were more focused and more ready from the tip.”
• Senior guard Taylor Mikesell: “There is still a lot of basketball left and a lot of league play left. You don’t want to be playing your best basketball right now. It’s good to take a little bit of adversity, take it on the chin and get better.”
• Sophomore guard/forward Taylor Thierry: “We can’t get too high or too low with losses. Just knowing everybody’s going to come for us with their best and every game is going to be tough. It’s not going to be easy and we just have to bounce back.”

Up Next

Ohio State heads to Wisconsin on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. tip. The game will be broadcast on B1G+.

To support Ohio State women’s basketball throughout the season here on campus, fans may purchase single game tickets for all remaining home games HERE. Applicable service fees will apply to all tickets. For group tickets and any questions, contact an account representative at 1-800-GO-BUCKS or via email at athletic.tix@osu.edu. All group tickets must be purchased in advance.

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