Ohio State Overcomes 11-Point Halftime Deficit for Seventh Big Ten Win

Thursday, January 25

Champaign, Ill.

7:00 PM

Ohio State

16-3,7-1Big Ten

Illinois

8-10,2-6Big Ten

Ohio St.

Illinois

Photo by: Ohio State Athletics

Ohio State Overcomes 11-Point Halftime Deficit for Seventh Big Ten Win

1/25/2024 9:41:00 PM | General, Women's Basketball

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The Buckeyes improved to 7-1 in conference play with a 67-59 decision against Illinois.

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 12/12 Ohio State Buckeyes (16-3, 7-1 B1G) beat Illinois (8-10, 2-6 B1G) on Thursday night by a 67-59 margin in the teams' only meeting of the regular season, overcoming an 11-point halftime deficit.

Ohio State scored first in the game and traded scoring for the majority of the first quarter to hold an 18-13 lead after 10 minutes. Illinois took its first lead of the game in the second quarter and had the 33-22 advantage going into the locker room. The Buckeyes had the 20-12 scoring advantage in the third quarter to cut their deficit to 45-42 after three quarters. Ohio State regained the lead in the fourth and used a 25-14 fourth quarter to hold off Illinois.

Jacy Sheldon was the first Buckeye in double figures as she scored the first five points of the second half on her way to 25 total points, her eighth 20-point game of the season. Cotie McMahon earned her second-straight double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Celeste Taylor (14) also scored in double figures. Rebeka Mikulášiková had a career-high six assists.

How it Happened
Ohio State opened scoring with a McMahon triple before Illinois got to the line. Sheldon went on a 5-0 run to give the Buckeyes a 10-4 advantage midway through the quarter. Scoring alternated for the remainder of the quarter as OSU had an 18-13 lead after 10 minutes.

Both offenses started the second quarter slowly and the Fighting Illini used a 7-2 run to tie the game at 20 with 5:37 remaining in the half. Illinois took its first lead of the game at 22-20 with 4:34 to play in the second and forced an Ohio State timeout with two minutes in the half trailing 27-20. The Buckeyes faced a 33-22 deficit going into halftime.

Sheldon scored the first five points of the second half and the Buckeyes used a 9-0 run to get within one at 39-38 midway through the quarter. Illinois scored back-to-back baskets after a four-minute scoring drought to prompt an OSU timeout trailing 43-38 with 2:44 to play in the quarter. The Buckeyes trailed 45-42 after three quarters of play.

Illinois scored first in the fourth quarter but Ohio State used a 12-0 run to take a 56-49 lead with four minutes remaining, the Buckeyes' first lead since the second quarter. The Fighting Illini responded with a three-pointer but the teams alternated scoring. OSU had the 61-54 lead with just under one minute to play before Illinois scored the next three points. A fastbreak layup from Taylor gave the Buckeyes the 63-57 advantage with 38 seconds to play. Ohio State led 65-57 with 21 seconds to play before a quick Illini bucket. The Buckeyes closed the game with free throws.

Highlights

Game Notes

This is the 13^th game this season that the Buckeye defense has forced at least 20 turnovers.
The Buckeye defense tallied at least 10 steals for the 11^th time this season.
Jacy Sheldon had her 17^th game of the season in double figures with 25 points tonight. This was her eighth 20-point game.
Cotie McMahon earned her second-straight double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. This is her 14^th game in double figures this season.
Celeste Taylor's 10^th double-figure performance of the season was good for 14 points.
Rebeka Mikulášiková had a career-high six assists.
Q1: McMahon and Sheldon scored the Buckeyes' first 14 points as each had seven. McMahon also led the Buckeyes with five rebounds in the quarter.
Q3: The Buckeyes outscored the Fighting Illini 20-12 in the quarter to get within three with 10 minutes to play.
Q4: Ohio State had the 25-14 scoring advantage and the 14-7 rebounding advantage in the quarter.

Up Next
Ohio State travels to Purdue on Sunday for a 2 p.m. game. The game will be broadcast on B1G+ and AM1460.

Tickets for the 2023-24 season are now on sale. For more information, visit ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Contact the ticket office with any questions at 1-800-GOBUCKS (select option 2) or athletic.tix@osu.edu.

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