Ohio State’s 16-0 is Best Start in Program History
1/5/2023 10:29:23 PM | Women's Basketball
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MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 3/3 Ohio State Buckeyes (16-0, 5-0 B1G) beat Minnesota (8-7, 1-3 B1G) by an 83-71 margin on Thursday night inside Williams Arena to record the best start in program history.
Ohio State started quickly with the first seven points and led by as many as 10 during the first quarter. Minnesota responded in the second quarter to take a 43-39 lead at halftime. The Buckeyes got back within two in the third quarter but the Gophers led 61-55 after 30 minutes. Ohio State scored the first 14 points of the fourth quarter and did not look back to earn the 83-71 win.
How it Happened
Ohio State scored the first seven points of the game before Minnesota got onto the scoreboard with a pair of free throws. The Buckeyes led by a 13-6 mark before six-unanswered Gopher points got Minnesota within one, 13-12, at the media timeout. Ohio State went on a 9-0 run out of the timeout and led 24-19 after 10 minutes, despite Minnesota scoring the final five of the quarter.
Rebeka Mikulášiková opened the second quarter with her second triple of the game but a 9-0 Minnesota run gave the Gophers their first lead of the game at 30-29 to force an OSU timeout. Ohio State went on a 7-0 run to take the lead back at 36-33 on a Rikki Harris three-pointer with 3:32 to play in the half. The Gophers finished the half on an 8-2 run to take a 43-39 lead into the locker room.
Mikulášiková had her third three-pointer to start the third quarter. The teams traded points with Minnesota leading 51-46 midway through the quarter. The Gophers stretched their lead to 56-46 with four minutes remaining in the quarter. OSU used an 8-0 run to get back within two on a Mikulášiková triple with 2:30 in the quarter. Minnesota held the 61-55 advantage after 30 minutes.
Ohio State scored the first 14 points of the fourth quarter to take a 69-61 lead with just under seven minutes to play. Minnesota got onto the board with a pair of free throws before the teams traded points. OSU pushed the lead to as many as 10 points at 79-69 with 1:46 to play. Scoring capped at 83-71 with a Mikesell jumper.
Highlights
Q1: Rebeka Mikulášiková three-pointer
Q1: Rikki Harris, Taylor Thierry defense to offense
Q1: Taylor Mikesell coast-to-coast
Q2: Rikki Harris three-pointer
Q3: Rikki Harris move to the basket
Q3: Rebeka Mikulášiková three-pointer
Q4: Rikki Harris jumper on the in-bound
Q4: Taylor Mikesell three-pointer
Game Notes
- Taylor Mikesell was the first Buckeye to double figures, scoring 10+ for the 15th time this season. She finished with 22 points, surpassing 20 points for the fifth time this season.
- Rebeka Mikulášiková scored in double figures for the 10th time this season, totaling 15 points. She tied her career-high five made three-pointers.
- Rikki Harris scored 10+ points for the third time this season and finished with a career-high 19 points.
- Cotie McMahon reached 10 points for the ninth time this season and totaled 12.
- Taylor Thierry had a career-high 12 rebounds.
- Q1: Seven different Ohio State players scored in the quarter as the team shot 10-of-18 (.556) from the floor.
- Q4: Ohio State shot 9-of-13 (.692) from the floor and was 8-of-10 (.800) from the free throw line.
Up Next
Ohio State hosts RV/RV Illinois on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Schottenstein Center for youth day. Sunday will feature a halftime youth scrimmage and a post-game clinic (register HERE). Join the Buckeyes in recognizing the Land-On-A-Cure Foundation at halftime.
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 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.
Direct links to purchase tickets:
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