COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 7/9 and #2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (26-5, 16-2 B1G) defeated #15 Maine (24-10, 14-2 America East) on Friday by an 80-57 margin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Value City Arena in the Schottenstein Center.

The first quarter featured back-and-forth runs and Ohio State held the 22-16 advantage after 10 minutes. The Buckeyes used a 12-0 run midway through a 21-8 second quarter to build a 43-24 halftime lead. Ohio State held the 66-45 advantage after 30 minutes and won by an 80-57 margin.

Jacy Sheldon became the eighth player in program history to reach 2,000 career points. Taylor Thierry and Rebeka Mikulášiková each recorded their 500^th career rebound. Sheldon (19), Thierry (12), Cotie McMahon (13) and Celeste Taylor (12) scored in double figures.

How it Happened
Ohio State opened scoring with a pair of jumpers before Maine answered with back-to-back three-pointers to take its first lead of the game at 6-4. The Buckeyes put together a 7-0 run to lead 11-6 with 6:12 to play in the quarter. The Black Bears went on an 8-0 run and the Buckeyes a 9-0 run down the stretch. Sheldon beat the buzzer to extend OSU’s lead to 22-16 after 10 minutes.

The Buckeyes scored the first four points of the second quarter to lead by double figures for the first time at 26-16. Ohio State’s defense allowed only one basket in the first seven minutes of the quarter as the OSU offense used a 12-0 run to increase the lead to 38-18. Madison Greene beat the buzzer with a three-pointer to send the Buckeyes into the locker room with a 43-24 lead.

Ohio State opened the third quarter with the first five points before Maine responded with five of its own. OSU had the longest run of the quarter – seven-unanswered points to build its lead to 57-33 with just under four minutes to play in the third. Sheldon scored the Buckeyes’ final six points of the third quarter as OSU led by a 66-45 margin after 30 minutes.

McMahon opened fourth quarter scoring with a layup. Ohio State made back-to-back three-pointers to extend its lead to 74-50 and a second 6-0 run gave the Buckeyes the 80-53 advantage with 3:38 to play. Scoring was capped with Maine free throws.

Highlights

• Q1: Sheldon buzzer beater
• Q2: Sheldon 2,000^th point
• Q2: Greene buzzer beater
• Q4: Taylor to Shumate fastbreak

Game Notes

• Ohio State is 32-27 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
• The Buckeyes will make their 22^nd second-round appearance on Sunday.
• Ohio State recorded at least 10 steals for the 19^th time this season, finishing with 11 steals today.
• The Buckeye defense forced their opponent into 20+ turnovers for the 20^th time this season as Maine had 22 turnovers.
• Jacy Sheldon became the eighth player in program history to reach 2,000 career points, surpassing the mark with 2:53 remaining in the second quarter on a three-point play. She also moved up to seventh in program history as her career total sits at 2,011.
• Taylor Thierry recorded her 500^th career rebound less than seven minutes into the game.
• Rebeka Mikulášiková reached 500 career rebounds just before the midway point of the second quarter.
• Sheldon recorded her 28^th double-figure performance of the season with 19 points.
• Theirry scored in double figures for the 22^nd time this season and finished with 12 points.
• Cotie McMahon’s 25^th double-figure game of the season was good for 13 points.
• Celeste Taylor scored in double figures for the 18^th time this season and totaled 12 points.
• Q1: Ohio State shot 9-of-14 (.643) from the floor during the quarter with points from every member of the starting lineup.
• H1: The Buckeyes forced 13 Maine turnovers in the first half and recorded six steals.
• Q3: Ohio State shot 8-of-15 (.533) from the floor in the quarter.
• Q4: The Buckeyes had the 14-12 advantage in the final quarter as every available player saw the court.

Up Next
Ohio State will face the winner of #7 Duke and #10 Richmond on Sunday in the NCAA Second Round at a time to be determined.

Tickets for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, hosted at the Schottenstein Center, are now on sale and can be purchased online HERE.
Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are now on sale and can be purchased HERE. Contact the ticket office with any questions at 1-800-GOBUCKS (select option 2) or [email protected].