COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 3/4 Ohio State Buckeyes (15-0, 4-0 B1G) beat No. 14/19 Michigan (12-2, 2-1 B1G) on Saturday afternoon by a 66-57 margin in front of a sold-out crowd in the Covelli Center.
Michigan got off to a quick 8-0 start but Ohio State trimmed the deficit to 10-9 after 10 minutes. The Buckeyes tied the game four times during the second quarter before taking their first lead. Emma Shumate’s buzzer-beater gave OSU the 30-27 advantage at halftime. Ohio State built a lead as large as 16 points in the third quarter before Michigan trimmed the OSU advantage to 50-41 to end the quarter. The Wolverines got as close as two points with under seven minutes to play but the Buckeyes responded to close out the game.
How it Happened
Michigan opened scoring with the first eight points to force an Ohio State timeout with 5:48 to play in the quarter. Ohio State got onto the board with two quick baskets out of the timeout. Cotie McMahon scored the final five points of the quarter as Ohio State trailed 10-9.
The Wolverines scored the first three points of the second quarter before McMahon tied the game at 13 with 6:27 remaining in the first half. Michigan gained a 19-14 advantage, but Rikki Harris tied it at 19 with a triple. Taylor Mikesell tied the game again with a three-pointer at 22 with 3:23 to play in the half. The Buckeyes took their first lead of the game with 1:44 remaining in the half on a basket by Hevynne Bristow. Shumate beat the buzzer with a three-pointer to end the first half with Ohio State leading 30-27.
Rikki Harris began the half with a three-point play. Ohio State strung together an 11-1 run heading into the media timeout to extend the lead to 46-32 with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter. OSU pushed the lead to 48-32 with 2:32 remaining before six-unanswered points by Michigan cut the OSU lead to 10 at 48-38. The Wolverines ended the third quarter with a buzzer-beater to get back within single digits, 50-41.
Michigan opened the fourth quarter with a 6-2 run to cut the Ohio State lead to 52-47 with 7:44 to play and forcing a Buckeye timeout. The Wolverines got within two at 52-50 with 6:47 remaining. The Buckeyes scored the next four points and strung together an 8-0 run, capped by a Rebeka Mikulášiková triple, to lead 64-52 with three minutes to play. Ohio State wrapped up scoring with free throws.
Game Notes
- The Buckeyes are tied for the best start in program history at 15-0, tying the 2011-12 season.
- This is the fourth ranked win of the season for the Buckeyes.
- Ohio State’s defense forced at least 20 turnovers for the 14th time this season.
- This is Cotie McMahon’s eighth game in double figures this season. She finished with 12 points.
- Taylor Mikesell scored at least 10 points for the 14th time this season, totaling 16 points.
- Rikki Harris scored in double figures for the second time this season, finishing with 14 points.
- Taylor Thierry had a season-high 10 rebounds to lead Ohio State, just one shy of her career-high.
- Q1: The Ohio State defense forced 10 Michigan turnovers in the first quarter.
- Q2: Ohio State tied the game four times in the second quarter before taking its first lead.
- Q3: The Buckeye defense held Michigan without a field goal for more than seven minutes during the middle of the quarter.
- Q4: OSU outrebounded Michigan 11-6 in the quarter.
What They Said
- Head Coach Kevin McGuff: “Both teams were playing so hard and physical and with toughness. It’s a great rivalry because I think we both have great programs and that’s probably the way it should be. I think it makes it a lot more exciting when both programs are good. Right now, both programs are operating at a high level and I think it’ll continue to be a very intense rivalry.”
- Red-shirt junior guard Rikki Harris: “[Coach McGuff said] play your hardest and lock in. That’s what he said and we knew what we had to do. We had done it earlier in the game but then we gave them few baskets and gave them a lot more hope than we should have. We had to toughen up and lock in on our stuff so we didn’t turn the ball over as much.”
- Senior guard Hevynne Bristow: “This just proves what a good team we are because we’re down two starters. Everybody next up is ready – one through 15 will be ready. I have to stay ready. In practice, coaches are pushing me, my teammates are pushing me – everyone has my back.”
Up Next
Ohio State travels to Minnesota on Thursday to begin the 2023 slate. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET in a game broadcast on B1G+.
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. 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 athletic.tix@osu.edu. All group tickets must be purchased in advance.
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