Ohio State
8-2,1-1Big Ten
Alabama State
1-6,0-0SWAC
Ohio State Back in the Win Column, Tops Alabama State
12/15/2021 9:06:14 PM | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Season Stats | Photo Gallery
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Taylor Mikesell scored 27 points and connected on seven three-pointers as he No. 24/21 Ohio State women’s basketball team (8-2, 1-1 Big Ten) defeated Alabama State (1-6) 97-51 on Wednesday evening in the final home game of 2021.
Mikesell led a balanced scoring attack that saw five players finish with double figures. Jacy Sheldon had 14 points while Rebeka Mikeulasikova had a double double of 12 points and 11 reboiunds. Rikki Harris also scored 12 points while Kateri Poole had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.
How it Happened
Ohio State opened a 27-13 lead after the first quarter thanks for some hot shooting from its starting backcourt of Kateri Poole and Taylor Mikesell. The duo combined for 16 points on five-of-nine shooting from the floor. Mikesell continued her hot hand from beyond the arc, hitting four-of-six three-pointers while scoring 11 points. Jacy Sheldon and Rebeka Mikulasikova each had four points.
The Buckeyes led by as many as 30 points in the second quarter and took a 56-30 lead into the locker room. Mikesell led all scorers with 17 first-half points and registered double figures for the 10th consecutive game. Sheldon added 11 points while Rikki Harris was the third player in double figures, notching 10 points. Ohio State shot better than 50 percent in the opening 20 minutes, connecting on 20-of-38 from the floor and made eight three-pointers.
Ohio State took its largest lead of the game – 38 points – at the end of the third quarter thanks to a 10-0 run over the final minute of the quarter. Mikesell scored 10 points in the third quarter to push her game-high total of 27 points. She also connected on her sixth and seventh three-pointers of the game, respectively.
Highlights
Q1: Taylor Mikesell for three
Q1: Mikesell in double figures
Q2: Mikulásiková’s baby hook
Q3: Poole from behind the arc
Q4: Hevynne Bristow coast to coast
Game Notes
- Mikesell’s seven three points were a season high, topping her previous mark of five vs. Syracuse on Dec. 1.
- She was just two three-points shy of tying the single game record, which is currently held by Kelsey Mitchell, who made nine versus Minnesota on Jan. 15, 2015.
- Mikesell has made at least three three-pointers in all 10 games this season.
- The Buckeyes improved to 7-1 at home and will next play at Value City Arena on Jan. 3 versus Penn State.
- Ohio State had scored 90 or more points five times this season.
- The 13 three-pointers made vs. Alabama State was a season high. The Buckeyes have made 10 or more three five times this season.
- Ten of the 11 players who saw time on Wednesday night scored.
Head Coach Kevin McGuff
On Taylor Mikesell’s impact
“She has a huge impact for us, especially when we get her that many shots. I thought the team did a really good job of finding her in open places.”
Senior guard Taylor Mikesell
On tonight’s game
“I don’t think anybody had a bad night tonight. I think everybody had a really good night. People built confidence tonight. It was a really great win overall for everybody.”
Up Next
Ohio State travels to California for a pair of games to wrap up the non-conference schedule. The Buckeyes play at (RV) UCLA on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET in a game broadcast live on Pac 12 Network and AM 1460. OSU then faces San Diego State on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. The SDSU game will be broadcast live on the Mountain West Network and AM 1460.
Tickets for the 2021-22 season in Value City Arena in the Schottenstein Center are now available. Fans can purchase mini plans, single-game tickets and group tickets. All group tickets must be bought in advance by calling 1-800-GO-BUCKS and then selecting option two. Fans with ticketing questions should call the Ohio State Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-BUCKS or email athletic.tix@osu.edu.
