After sweeping the regular-season collection between the packages, the fourth-seeded Buckeyes beat the No. 5 seed Wolverines, 81-79, behind a 28-point, 12-rebound, four-assist effort from Big Ten Freshman of the Year Cotie McMahon.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #4 OHIO STATE | 24 | 23 | 18 | 16 | 81 |
| #5 MICHIGAN | 22 | 17 | 22 | 18 | 79 |
Taylor Thierry had 20 factors and Taylor Mikesell added 16 to assist Ohio State safe the victory. In solely her second look since Nov. 30, Jacy Sheldon made an announcement in her return for the Buckeyes, gathering 5 factors, two assists and one steal in restricted minutes.
With the win, Ohio State advances to face top-seeded Indiana within the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The groups met twice within the common season. The Hoosiers received the primary matchup in Bloomington on Jan. 26 (83-59), and the second in Columbus on Feb. 13 (78-65), indicating Indiana could have Ohio State’s quantity. But, as talked about above, it is onerous to beat a staff 3 times in a row.
First Quarter
Michigan scored the sport’s first factors as Jordan Hobbs transformed a uncommon four-point play, connecting on a 3-pointer regardless of a foul from Rikki Harris. However, Ohio State was not fazed by the early two-possession deficit, because the Buckeyes battled backwards and forwards with the Wolverines and went on a number of runs to finish the quarter with a two-point lead, 24-22.
Sheldon checked into the competition for the primary time on the seven-minute mark. The Dublin, Ohio, native made a direct affect with an help to McMahon, who transformed on a 3-pointer from the nook, and a steal that led to a rating for the Buckeyes. Sheldon checked out after two minutes of motion.
While Sheldon’s assist in the body was restricted, McMahon’s was not. The freshman phenom performed all 10 minutes of the primary for Ohio State, making 4 of six pictures for a team-best 11 factors, three rebounds and an help. Thierry and Mikesell additionally added six and 5 factors, respectively.
Second Quarter
Despite Rebeka Mikulasikova and Harris selecting up their second fouls early within the second quarter, Ohio State prolonged its result in 9 factors and entered the intermission with a 47-39 benefit over Michigan.
| OHIO STATE | STAT | MICHIGAN |
|---|---|---|
| 81 | POINTS | 79 |
| 31-59 (52.5%) | FGM-FGA (PCT.) | 29-68 (42.6%) |
| 8-15 (53.3%) | 3PM-3PA (PCT.) | 5-17 (29.4%) |
| 11-13 (40%) | FTM-FTA (PCT.) | 16-21 (76.2%) |
| 11 | TURNOVERS | 9 |
| 32 | TOTAL REBOUNDS | 36 |
| 6 | OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 14 |
| 26 | DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 22 |
| 10 | BENCH POINTS | 20 |
| 4 | BLOCKS | 1 |
| 6 | STEALS | 4 |
| 13 | ASSISTS | 16 |
While Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff opted to maintain Mikulasikova on the bench till the second half in favor of Eboni Walker, he allowed Harris to remain on the ground and play via her foul hassle. McGuff’s choice paid off for the Buckeyes, as Harris began to warmth up because the quarter continued, making a 3-pointer and gathering three defensive rebounds that ultimately became factors for her teammates.
Once once more, Sheldon entered the sport briefly for Ohio State early within the quarter. And as soon as once more, she made her presence felt on each ends of the ground. The veteran guard helped power a turnover and added her second help within the contest earlier than returning to the bench after two minutes. She later returned to the ground and helped the Buckeyes shut the primary half on a 6-2 run.
Thierry paced Ohio State with eight factors on 3-of-4 taking pictures within the second body with a 2-of-2 mark from the free throw line. She additionally collected two assists and an offensive rebound. Mikesell (4) and McMahon (three) mixed to contribute seven factors for the Buckeyes within the quarter.
Ohio State went into the break taking pictures a formidable 58.6% from the ground with a 75% clip from behind the arc, whereas Michigan related on 45.5% of its pictures and 42.9% of its threes.
Third Quarter
McMahon regarded poised to take over the third quarter for Ohio State as she scored the staff’s first factors via contact, shaking her head and clapping her fingers in celebration.
Michigan managed to maintain the Centerville, Ohio, native at bay for a couple of minutes after that bucket. Still, McMahon emerged with power because the quarter neared its finish, changing two layups with swift spin strikes contained in the paint – the second for an old-school three-point play. McMahon completed the quarter with eight factors, 5 rebounds and one help.
Thierry continued her quietly-dominant efficiency within the third body, scoring six factors on 3-of-4 taking pictures and including three rebounds with an help. The solely draw back was that she dedicated three fouls, forcing McGuff to seek out her a spot on the bench within the remaining minutes.
The third quarter was one of the best for the Wolverines, which related on eight of their 18 pictures and 6 of their eight free throws to chop the Ohio State result in 4 factors, 65-61, because the groups entered the ultimate quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Ohio State and Michigan traded a number of blows within the remaining quarter, which made for an entertaining final 10 minutes in Minneapolis.
Luckily for the Buckeyes, McMahon remained one of the best on the courtroom and willed her staff to victory. She was a power in all features of the sport, gathering factors, rebounds, blocks and steals within the fourth to hold Ohio State to a win.
Mikesell and Sheldon had been additionally essential to the staff’s efforts to drag away from the Wolverines within the fourth. Mikesell made a number of essential baskets from the beginning of the quarter to its finish, however Sheldon had arguably crucial area objective for Ohio State – a 3-pointer from 22 toes that ended up being the distinction for the Buckeyes.
Game Notes
- Despite having Jacy Sheldon and Rebeka Mikulasikova accessible, Kevin McGuff chosen Rikki Harris, Taylor Thierry, Taylor Mikesell, Eboni Walker and Cotie McMahon to start out for the Buckeyes. That lineup has began for Ohio State for the final 5 video games.
- This week, Cotie McMahon was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year for her efforts this season. Additionally, Taylor Mikesell, Taylor Thierry and McMahon acquired All-Big Ten recognition, with Mikesell on the primary staff and Thierry and McMahon on the second staff.
