EVANSTON, Ill. – The No. 3/4 Ohio State Buckeyes (14-0, 3-0 B1G) beat Northwestern (6-6, 0-2 B1G) on Wednesday night by an 81-48 margin.
Ohio State’s defense did not allow a field goal for the first five minutes of the first and second quarters, using a run of 11-0 in each quarter to build a 35-24 lead at halftime. The Buckeyes used a 24-point third quarter to pull away, leading 59-38 after 30 minutes. Ohio State capped scoring with a 22-10 fourth quarter.
How it Happened
Ohio State’s defense forced Northwestern to miss its first seven field goal attempts as the Buckeyes converted a trio of three-point plays to build a 13-2 lead midway through the opening quarter. Northwestern had the 11-5 scoring advantage to finish the quarter with OSU up 18-13.
Both teams started slowly in the second quarter, but a 7-0 run by Ohio State gave the Buckeyes a 25-15 lead with 5:20 remaining in the half. OSU extended its lead to 29-15, capping its run at 11-0. The teams traded baskets to end the half with the Buckeyes ahead by a 35-24 margin.
Ohio State scored the first seven points out of halftime to lead 42-24 with eight minutes to play in the third quarter. A triple from Taylor Mikesell sent the Buckeyes into the media timeout with a 47-31 lead. OSU extended its lead to 52-31 and led 59-38 after 30 minutes, despite the Wildcats scoring the final two baskets of the quarter.
The Buckeyes had the first two baskets in the fourth quarter and used a 13-0 run midway through the quarter to increase the lead to 77-46 with 2:46 to play. Hevynne Bristow capped scoring at 81-48 with a pair of free throws.
Game Notes
- The Buckeyes recorded at least 10 steals for the 11th time this season, finishing with 17 steals.
- Ohio State has scored at least 80 points in 13 games this season.
- The Buckeyes totaled a season-high 46 rebounds.
- Cotie McMahon was the first in the game to reach double figures, doing so midway through the second quarter. This is her seventh double-figure performance and fifth 20-point game of the season, finishing with 24 points.
- Taylor Thierry scored at least 10 points for the 10th time this season, totaling 18 points tonight.
- Taylor Mikesell had a season-best nine rebounds and reached double figures for the 13th time this season with 16 points.
- Q1: The Buckeye defense forced seven turnovers and had six steals in the first 10 minutes.
- Q2: Ohio State’s defense did not allow a field goal in the first half of the quarter and limited the Wildcats to 23.5 percent shooting in the quarter.
- Q3: OSU shot 57.1 from the floor in the quarter, including 4-of-8 (.500) from long range.
- Q4: Ohio State’s biggest run of the game was 13-0 during the fourth quarter.
What They Said
- Head Coach Kevin McGuff: “[Rikki Harris] plays hard and competes and she also has a really high basketball IQ. She’ll take a lot of pride in trying to keep us organized and make sure we execute the right way.”
- Freshman forward Cotie McMahon: “The fact that we all count on each other and we all trust each other is really showing as we get into Big Ten play because it’s more transparent – there are no bad Big Ten games.
- Sophomore guard/forward Taylor Thierry: “We’re a versatile team. We have players who can play multiple positions and execute really well. We’re all a reliable team and we’re able to execute at multiple positions, which makes it hard on other teams.
Up Next
Ohio State hosts No. 14/19 Michigan on New Year’s Eve in Covelli for a 1 p.m. tip. The game will be broadcast live on BTN.
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 [email protected]. All group tickets must be purchased in advance.
Direct links to purchase tickets:
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