Buckeyes Outlast Spartans to Improve to 10-0 for First Time Since 2011-12
12/11/2022 7:16:22 PM | Women's Basketball
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 3/4 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0, 2-0 B1G) outlasted Michigan State (6-5, 0-2 B1G) on Sunday afternoon in the Big Ten home opener, earning the 74-68 win.
There were four lead changes in the opening quarter before a 10-0 OSU run to close the quarter gave the Buckeyes the 29-17 advantage. Both teams started slowly in the second quarter and Ohio State had the 10-point lead at halftime. Michigan State cut OSU’s lead to 59-54 at the end of a back-and-forth third quarter. The Spartans trimmed the Buckeye lead all the way to one point before Ohio State closed the 74-68 win with free throws and a Taylor Thierry layup.
How it Happened
Cotie McMahon opened scoring and Ohio State had the first four points. Each team had a seven-point run to grab the lead. The Spartans made back-to-back three-pointers to take the 13-11 lead with just under six minutes remaining, but Taylor Mikesell answered with her second triple of the quarter to give the Buckeyes the lead back. Michigan State got within two at 19-17 before Ohio State closed the quarter with the final 10 points to lead 29-17 after 10 minutes.
Both offenses began slowly in the second quarter, going a combined 3-of-19 as Ohio State had a 30-23 lead at the media timeout. The Buckeyes scored on three fastbreak layups out of the media timeout within 35 seconds to extend the lead to 36-25 and force a Spartans timeout. Michigan State scored the final four points of the half, but OSU held the 42-32 lead going into the locker room.
The Buckeyes opened the second half with the first eight points, including two triples from Rebeka Mikulášiková, to stretch the lead to 50-32 with 7:37 to play in the quarter. Michigan State responded with the next nine points to get within single digits, 50-41, at the media timeout. The teams traded points as the Spartans got within five at the end of the third quarter.
Michigan State scored to cut the Ohio State lead to 59-56 and force a Buckeye timeout. Ohio State called another timeout after a Spartan triple got MSU within two at 65-63 with three minutes to play. Michigan State then got within one at 67-66, which remained the score until less than a minute remained. OSU made its free throws down the stretch and Thierry capped scoring with a layup as time expired.
Highlights
Q1: Taylor Mikesell three-pointer
Q1: Madison Greene steal, Taylor Thierry fastbreak layup
Q2: Taylor Thierry three-pointer
Q3: Rikki Harris finish through contact
Game Notes
- This is the first time since the 2011-12 season that Ohio State has won its first 10 games.
- The Buckeye defense has forced at least 20 turnovers in every game this season, forcing 22 today.
- Taylor Thierry was the first in the game to double figures, doing so in the second quarter and totaling 10+ points for the seventh time this season. She finished with 21 points after tying her career-high 15 points in the first half.
- Cotie McMahon had a career-high 10 rebounds, surpassing her previous career-high of four.
- Taylor Mikesell has scored in double figures in every game this season, totaling 16 points today.
- Madison Greene reached double figures for the fifth time this season, finishing with 15 points.
- Thierry (9) and Mikesell (7) both had a season-high in rebounds.
- Q1: Ohio State’s defense forced 11 Michigan State turnovers in the opening quarter.
- Q2: The Buckeyes made 5-of-7 from the field to conclude the quarter after a slow offensive start.
- Q4: Taylor Mikesell converted on all four free throw attempts in the final 23 seconds after Michigan State started fouling.
What They Said
- Head Coach Kevin McGuff: “We have a lot to work on. It’s nice to be able to do it off of a win, but there’s a lot of areas to improve.”
- Sophomore forward/guard Taylor Thierry: “My goal was to work on getting out of my comfort zone and then being comfortable being out of my comfort zone and it’s starting to work out. It showed a little bit today and hopefully I can keep it up moving forward.”
- Senior guard Taylor Mikesell: “I think I can speak for all my teammates when I say we have to trust the work we put in. At the end of the day, each shot is independent. If I miss a shot, the next one is not dependent on the last one. I have to step up with confidence [at the end of the game at the free throw line] and knock it down. In general, we made a really big step on the rebounds the last couple minutes of that game – we pulled down some big rebounds and were able to secure the ball and had them foul to put us at the line. It was a really good step for us rebounding.”
Up Next
Ohio State hosts UAlbany on Friday evening for a 6 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 now purchase mini plans HERE or single game tickets for all remaining home games, including the Michigan game at the Covelli Center, HERE. Applicable service fees will apply to all tickets. Season tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-GO-BUCKS and selecting option two. 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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