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LGHL Uncut: McGuff talks McMahon’s near triple-double in Ohio State’s win over Purdue
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Uncut: McGuff talks McMahon’s near triple-double in Ohio State’s win over Purdue
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State University athletic department
McGuff, McMahon and Mikulášiková on the narrow win over the Boilermakers
Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Sunday afternoon, Ohio State women’s basketball finished off a stretch of three road games in four matchups, defeating the Purdue Boilermakers. However, it wasn’t easy for the Buckeyes, winning 71-68, thanks to a final buzzer beater missed in the closing seconds.
After the game, head coach Kevin McGuff spoke with the media. McGuff discussed the near triple-double by forward Cotie McMahon, Boilermakers guard Abbey Ellis having a strong second half, and the small issues that kept the Buckeyes from pulling away in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Following Coach McGuff was McMahon and fellow forward Rebeka Mikulášiková. McMahon talks about her double-double performance and what she’s seeing differently in the last few weeks of outstanding play. Mikulášiková, who led everyone in the game with 15 points, discusses how she found space in the Purdue defense and how teammates helped get her the ball. Also, both talk about whether last year’s loss to Purdue sat with them at all in the Sunday victory.
That and more on the latest “Land-Grant Uncut.”
Connect with Thomas:
Twitter: @1ThomasCostello
Threads: @1ThomasCostello
Bluesky: @thomascostello.bsky.social
Theme music provided by www.bensound.com
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State University athletic department
McGuff, McMahon and Mikulášiková on the narrow win over the Boilermakers
Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Sunday afternoon, Ohio State women’s basketball finished off a stretch of three road games in four matchups, defeating the Purdue Boilermakers. However, it wasn’t easy for the Buckeyes, winning 71-68, thanks to a final buzzer beater missed in the closing seconds.
After the game, head coach Kevin McGuff spoke with the media. McGuff discussed the near triple-double by forward Cotie McMahon, Boilermakers guard Abbey Ellis having a strong second half, and the small issues that kept the Buckeyes from pulling away in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Following Coach McGuff was McMahon and fellow forward Rebeka Mikulášiková. McMahon talks about her double-double performance and what she’s seeing differently in the last few weeks of outstanding play. Mikulášiková, who led everyone in the game with 15 points, discusses how she found space in the Purdue defense and how teammates helped get her the ball. Also, both talk about whether last year’s loss to Purdue sat with them at all in the Sunday victory.
That and more on the latest “Land-Grant Uncut.”
Connect with Thomas:
Twitter: @1ThomasCostello
Threads: @1ThomasCostello
Bluesky: @thomascostello.bsky.social
Theme music provided by www.bensound.com
Continue reading...
LGHL Game Preview: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball at Purdue Boilermakers
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Game Preview: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball at Purdue Boilermakers
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Can the Buckeyes make it seven wins in a row or suffer another surprise defeat to the Boilermakers?
Last season, Ohio State women’s basketball faced the Purdue Boilermakers when it wasn’t in too good of a place. The Buckeyes entered a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes ranked No. 2, with a 19-0 record. After falling to the Hawkeyes, then traveling to Indiana midweek to lose again, Purdue sat on the other side of the stretch, giving the scarlet and gray a potential moment of recovery.
That didn’t happen.
The Boilermakers made an already tough end of 2023’s January month of basketball even harder to swallow, defeating the Buckeyes 73-65. Now, for the first time since that loss, Ohio State and Purdue play again with both teams looking vastly different than this point last season.
Purdue welcomes Ohio State in similar standing to the Illinois Fighting Illini, comparing at a high level.
The Boilermakers, like the Illini, made the NCAA Tournament last season after surprising the Big Ten conference, albeit to early March Madness exits. Now, this season, both teams are fighting to reach a .500 record.
Looking closer at the Boilermakers, its struggles are unique in comparison. Unlike Illinois, the black and old gold of Purdue lost parts of its core to expiring NCAA eligibility, at the end of last season.
Purdue entered the 23-24 campaign without guards Lasha Petree and Cassidy Hardin. Combined the two accounted for 22.2 points per game and brought graduate senior leadership to head coach Katie Gearld's second season in West Lafayette.
Now, this season, the Boilermakers have five upperclassmen and eight underclassmen, six of those freshman. With Coach Gearlds building her program, the names who brought stability in previous seasons are either gone or on their way out. It doesn’t mean Purdue lacks leadership. It still has guard Abbey Ellis.
The Australian graduate senior Ellis is having her best season in the Big Ten in three years. Ellis leads the Boilermakers in scoring and second in assists. Last season, against Ohio State, Ellis had her best game against a Big Ten opponent in her career, scoring 26 points. Ellis did it mostly from beyond the arc, going 5-for-8. That was in a game with Buckeyes’ guard Jacy Sheldon hurt and without Celeste Taylor, who still played for the Duke Blue Devils.
Sheldon and Taylor are a big part of the reason why Ohio State is second in the conference in limiting three-point efficiency. The Buckeyes allow opponents to shoot an average of only 28.2% per game.
It won’t only be Ellis shooting from deep. Stepping into the starting lineup this season is senior guard Madison Layden. The four-year Boilermaker leads the Big Ten and is fourth in the nation shooting 49.4% from three-point range. What makes stopping both of these guards more difficult is who is getting them the ball: Guard Jeanae Terry.
Terry isn’t a huge scoring threat, but the graduate senior has strengths all over the court and has the ability to reach triple-double range. The five-year Big Ten star, spending the first two with Illinois, averages 5.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. Purdue runs through Terry.
The lack of experience compared to Ohio State doesn’t mean the freshman class of Purdue is holding the Boilermakers back. Anything but that.
Sunday highlights the future of Purdue basketball, and it's bright, especially with guard Rashunda Jones and forward Mary Ashley Stevenson.
With Purdue’s experience falling mostly in the guard group, Jones averages 9.5 points per game coming off the bench in 15 games. The No. 79 ranked 2023 prospect is tied with starter Ellis free throws attempted per game, playing 10 fewer minutes per game on average. In other words, Jones gets to the basket.
Stevenson is the likely starting forward in the paint for Coach Gearlds. The 6-foot-2 out of New York brings agility to a more traditional post-up game. Stevenson will dribble around slower forwards to hit layups, turnaround jumpers, and even a hook shot.
Someone who won’t feature is freshman Amiyah Reynolds. The No. 43 prospect of the 2023 class tore her ACL while finishing high school basketball, and is still recovering. Plus, even if she was back, the minutes would be limited. With Sunday being the lone game between the two sides, it’ll be next season before Buckeye fans see Reynolds against the scarlet and gray.
Even without Reynolds, Purdue’s freshman group leads the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 22.0 points per game in conference play.
A key for Ohio State is avoiding being surprised by any of the young talent for Purdue, and avoiding a slip like it had in the second quarter of Thursday’s win at Illinois.
In that record-setting four-point quarter, the Buckeyes offense struggled, hitting two of nine attempted shots. After the game, head coach Kevin McGuff diagnosed the problem as Buckeyes standing around after plays didn’t work. Without hitting shots, the pressing defense couldn’t set, allowing Illinois to get an 11-point lead.
While the scarlet and gray recovered, ultimately winning comfortably with a fourth-quarter comeback, it wasn’t easy for the No. 12 team in the country. Purdue’s shown that it can catch McGuff’s side on a bad day. Especially considering the Boilermakers’ current run.
Ohio State is the last of the toughest six-game stretch of Purdue’s Big Ten season. It began with a loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes and then defeats to the Maryland Terrapins, Penn State Nittany Lions, Indiana Hoosiers, and Michigan State Spartans. That means Boilermakers are looking to stop the bleeding.
G- Jacy Sheldon
G- Celeste Taylor
G- Taylor Thierry
F- Cotie McMahon
F- Rebeka Mikulášikova
G- Jeanae Terry
G- Abbey Ellis
G- Madison Layden
F- Caitlyn Harper
F- Mary Ashley Stevenson
Mackey Arena is not an easy place to play, and Purdue’s five-game losing streak has added more motivation for the Boilermakers. That will give the home team a fiery start, but the Buckeyes will pull away.
The scare in Illinois, and lingering loss to the Boilermakers last season, is enough to propel Ohio State to a comfortable victory. Thierry and McMahon will be especially strong going up against a freshman inside the paint, although Stevenson will rebound well against the Buckeyes.
McMahon leads Ohio State in scoring and the Buckeyes extend the winning streak to seven games.
Date: Sunday, January 28, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana
Stream: B1G+
Ohio State controls its own destiny when it comes to the Big Ten regular season title. Win out and the crown goes to the Buckeyes. Easier said than done with another game against Iowa, a lone matchup against the Hoosiers, and games against the Wolverines, Nittany Lions, and Terrapins. However, the math is in Ohio State’s favor:
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Can the Buckeyes make it seven wins in a row or suffer another surprise defeat to the Boilermakers?
Last season, Ohio State women’s basketball faced the Purdue Boilermakers when it wasn’t in too good of a place. The Buckeyes entered a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes ranked No. 2, with a 19-0 record. After falling to the Hawkeyes, then traveling to Indiana midweek to lose again, Purdue sat on the other side of the stretch, giving the scarlet and gray a potential moment of recovery.
That didn’t happen.
The Boilermakers made an already tough end of 2023’s January month of basketball even harder to swallow, defeating the Buckeyes 73-65. Now, for the first time since that loss, Ohio State and Purdue play again with both teams looking vastly different than this point last season.
Preview
Purdue welcomes Ohio State in similar standing to the Illinois Fighting Illini, comparing at a high level.
The Boilermakers, like the Illini, made the NCAA Tournament last season after surprising the Big Ten conference, albeit to early March Madness exits. Now, this season, both teams are fighting to reach a .500 record.
Looking closer at the Boilermakers, its struggles are unique in comparison. Unlike Illinois, the black and old gold of Purdue lost parts of its core to expiring NCAA eligibility, at the end of last season.
Purdue entered the 23-24 campaign without guards Lasha Petree and Cassidy Hardin. Combined the two accounted for 22.2 points per game and brought graduate senior leadership to head coach Katie Gearld's second season in West Lafayette.
Now, this season, the Boilermakers have five upperclassmen and eight underclassmen, six of those freshman. With Coach Gearlds building her program, the names who brought stability in previous seasons are either gone or on their way out. It doesn’t mean Purdue lacks leadership. It still has guard Abbey Ellis.
The Australian graduate senior Ellis is having her best season in the Big Ten in three years. Ellis leads the Boilermakers in scoring and second in assists. Last season, against Ohio State, Ellis had her best game against a Big Ten opponent in her career, scoring 26 points. Ellis did it mostly from beyond the arc, going 5-for-8. That was in a game with Buckeyes’ guard Jacy Sheldon hurt and without Celeste Taylor, who still played for the Duke Blue Devils.
Sheldon and Taylor are a big part of the reason why Ohio State is second in the conference in limiting three-point efficiency. The Buckeyes allow opponents to shoot an average of only 28.2% per game.
It won’t only be Ellis shooting from deep. Stepping into the starting lineup this season is senior guard Madison Layden. The four-year Boilermaker leads the Big Ten and is fourth in the nation shooting 49.4% from three-point range. What makes stopping both of these guards more difficult is who is getting them the ball: Guard Jeanae Terry.
Terry isn’t a huge scoring threat, but the graduate senior has strengths all over the court and has the ability to reach triple-double range. The five-year Big Ten star, spending the first two with Illinois, averages 5.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. Purdue runs through Terry.
The lack of experience compared to Ohio State doesn’t mean the freshman class of Purdue is holding the Boilermakers back. Anything but that.
Sunday highlights the future of Purdue basketball, and it's bright, especially with guard Rashunda Jones and forward Mary Ashley Stevenson.
With Purdue’s experience falling mostly in the guard group, Jones averages 9.5 points per game coming off the bench in 15 games. The No. 79 ranked 2023 prospect is tied with starter Ellis free throws attempted per game, playing 10 fewer minutes per game on average. In other words, Jones gets to the basket.
Stevenson is the likely starting forward in the paint for Coach Gearlds. The 6-foot-2 out of New York brings agility to a more traditional post-up game. Stevenson will dribble around slower forwards to hit layups, turnaround jumpers, and even a hook shot.
Someone who won’t feature is freshman Amiyah Reynolds. The No. 43 prospect of the 2023 class tore her ACL while finishing high school basketball, and is still recovering. Plus, even if she was back, the minutes would be limited. With Sunday being the lone game between the two sides, it’ll be next season before Buckeye fans see Reynolds against the scarlet and gray.
Even without Reynolds, Purdue’s freshman group leads the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 22.0 points per game in conference play.
A key for Ohio State is avoiding being surprised by any of the young talent for Purdue, and avoiding a slip like it had in the second quarter of Thursday’s win at Illinois.
In that record-setting four-point quarter, the Buckeyes offense struggled, hitting two of nine attempted shots. After the game, head coach Kevin McGuff diagnosed the problem as Buckeyes standing around after plays didn’t work. Without hitting shots, the pressing defense couldn’t set, allowing Illinois to get an 11-point lead.
While the scarlet and gray recovered, ultimately winning comfortably with a fourth-quarter comeback, it wasn’t easy for the No. 12 team in the country. Purdue’s shown that it can catch McGuff’s side on a bad day. Especially considering the Boilermakers’ current run.
Ohio State is the last of the toughest six-game stretch of Purdue’s Big Ten season. It began with a loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes and then defeats to the Maryland Terrapins, Penn State Nittany Lions, Indiana Hoosiers, and Michigan State Spartans. That means Boilermakers are looking to stop the bleeding.
Ohio State
G- Jacy Sheldon
G- Celeste Taylor
G- Taylor Thierry
F- Cotie McMahon
F- Rebeka Mikulášikova
Lineup Notes
- Forward Rebeka Mikulášiková set a career-high in assists in two consecutive games. Thursday, the forward had six against the Fighting Illini after tying her previous record against Iowa.
- Ohio State forced 20 turnovers against the Fighting Illini, the 11th time the Buckeyes forced at least 20 turnovers in a game this season.
- Forward Cotie McMahon leads the Buckeyes in three-point plays with 11 this season. Guard/forward Taylor Thierry is second with six.
Purdue
G- Jeanae Terry
G- Abbey Ellis
G- Madison Layden
F- Caitlyn Harper
F- Mary Ashley Stevenson
Lineup Notes
- After coming off the bench in the Boilermakers’ first game of the season, freshman forward Mary Ashley Stevenson has started 18 games in a row.
- Guard Jeanae Terry has two double-doubles this season, and one of them was with rebounds and assists. Terry had 1 point in a win against Southeast Missouri State but added 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
- Purdue is fifth in the Big Ten this season in turnovers, committing 15.8 per game.
Prediction
Mackey Arena is not an easy place to play, and Purdue’s five-game losing streak has added more motivation for the Boilermakers. That will give the home team a fiery start, but the Buckeyes will pull away.
The scare in Illinois, and lingering loss to the Boilermakers last season, is enough to propel Ohio State to a comfortable victory. Thierry and McMahon will be especially strong going up against a freshman inside the paint, although Stevenson will rebound well against the Buckeyes.
McMahon leads Ohio State in scoring and the Buckeyes extend the winning streak to seven games.
How to Watch
Date: Sunday, January 28, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana
Stream: B1G+
LGHL Prediction: 81-62 Ohio State Buckeyes
Standings Watch
Ohio State controls its own destiny when it comes to the Big Ten regular season title. Win out and the crown goes to the Buckeyes. Easier said than done with another game against Iowa, a lone matchup against the Hoosiers, and games against the Wolverines, Nittany Lions, and Terrapins. However, the math is in Ohio State’s favor:
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LGHL Ohio State gets blown out by Northwestern 83-58, loses 14th straight road game
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Ohio State gets blown out by Northwestern 83-58, loses 14th straight road game
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes' last road win came at Northwestern, but this contest told a much different story.
The Ohio State Men’s Basketball team (13-7, 3-6) fell to the Northwestern Wildcats (15-6, 6-3) 83-58 in Evanston on Saturday night.
The Buckeyes entered the contest on a 13-game losing streak on the road, with their last win coming on Jan. 1, 2023 — a convincing 73-57 victory over these same Wildcats. In a season that did not go the way that Ohio State wanted, one of the lone bright spots was that win over Northwestern in Evanston. The Buckeyes went up 34-8 in the first half and never looked back, leading 35-17 at the half and winning by 16.
Brice Sensabaugh led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds, Sean McNeil recorded 15 points, and Zed Key finished with a double-double, recording 12 points and 11 rebounds. It was the last game Key played healthy of the season. Justice Sueing added 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
However, the Buckeyes have not won on the road since that game and were 0-4 on the road this season entering tonight’s game, with losses to Michigan, Penn State, Indiana, and Nebraska.
Northwestern was coming off a big win over No. 10 Illinois in overtime Wednesday night, defeating the Illini 96-91 behind 29 points from Boo Buie on 12-for-25 shooting from the field. Buie leads the Wildcats on the season, averaging 18.5 points per game and 5.3 assists per game.
Ty Berry and Ryan Langborg average 11.5 and 11.3 points per game, respectively.
For Ohio State, Bruce Thornton leads the Buckeyes into this one, averaging 16.0 points per game, 4.5 assists per game, and 3.2 rebounds per game. Jamison Battle averages 14.2 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game, and Roddy Gayle averages 13.7 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game.
The game was tipped at 8:42, and Northwestern won the tip, but Ohio State sophomore guard Roddy Gayle scored the first points.
Points didn’t come easy to start, as Ohio State started 1-for-5 from the field, and Northwestern started 2-for-6. Five of Ohio State’s first nine points came from the free-throw line, while Northwestern started 2-for-4 from the three-point line.
Jamison Battle made the first three-pointer for the Buckeyes. He averages 2.9 made three-pointers per game, which leads the Big Ten.
At the under-12 media timeout, Northwestern led Ohio State 15-12.
Bowen Hardman came into this one and immediately hit a three-pointer to try and provide a spark. He knocked down a three-pointer and helped cut into the Buckeye deficit. However, the Wildcats shot 7-for-13 from three-point range, leading the Buckeyes 41-30 at the half.
Ryan Langborg led Northwestern with 14 points at the half, while Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle led the Buckeyes with nine points each.
The Wildcats picked up where they left off, starting the second half on a 5-0 run to take a 46-30 early second-half lead.
Boo Buie knocked down a three-pointer to give the Wildcats a 50-33 lead at the under-16 timeout. After another field goal, Buie became the third leading scorer in Northwestern history.
The Buckeye's shooting struggles continued throughout the second half, as the Wildcats were able to take a 59-39 lead into the under-12 media timeout. This was the largest deficit of the year for the Buckeyes.
At the under-8 media timeout, Northwestern stretched the lead to 71-40. The Wildcats never made it easier on the Buckeyes, as the Buckeyes trailed 81-46 at the under-4 media timeout.
Northwestern finished this contest off with an 83-58 win.
Boo Buie led the Wildcats with 19 points, while Roddy Gayle and Bruce Thornton led Ohio State with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Here are some storylines from the game:
Over the last five games, Ohio State is 27-for-111 (24.3%) from the three-point line. Graduate senior forward Jamison Battle is 14-for-29 (48.3%), while the rest of the team is 13-for-82 (15.9%). They started Big Ten play third in the conference from the three-point line and have fallen to eighth place.
The Buckeyes finished 5-for-19 from three-point range and 14-for-39 from the field against Northwestern.
Entering the Nebraska game, the Buckeyes were looking for a spark shooting the ball, so Chris Holtmann turned to sophomore guard Bowen Hardman, who finished with 11 points on 3-for-7 shooting.
Hardman entered the first half against Northwestern and made his first three-point attempt. He finished the half 1-for-2 from three-point range and overall.
Not only have the Buckeyes struggled to make shots, but the three-point defense from the Buckeyes has left a lot to be desired. Over the last five games where the Buckeyes have been slumping, Buckeyes opponents have shot 49-for-108 (45.4%) from the three-point line. In the first half of this contest, Northwestern shot 7-for-13 from three-point range to take an 11-point lead into the half.
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justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes' last road win came at Northwestern, but this contest told a much different story.
The Ohio State Men’s Basketball team (13-7, 3-6) fell to the Northwestern Wildcats (15-6, 6-3) 83-58 in Evanston on Saturday night.
The Buckeyes entered the contest on a 13-game losing streak on the road, with their last win coming on Jan. 1, 2023 — a convincing 73-57 victory over these same Wildcats. In a season that did not go the way that Ohio State wanted, one of the lone bright spots was that win over Northwestern in Evanston. The Buckeyes went up 34-8 in the first half and never looked back, leading 35-17 at the half and winning by 16.
Brice Sensabaugh led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds, Sean McNeil recorded 15 points, and Zed Key finished with a double-double, recording 12 points and 11 rebounds. It was the last game Key played healthy of the season. Justice Sueing added 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
However, the Buckeyes have not won on the road since that game and were 0-4 on the road this season entering tonight’s game, with losses to Michigan, Penn State, Indiana, and Nebraska.
Northwestern was coming off a big win over No. 10 Illinois in overtime Wednesday night, defeating the Illini 96-91 behind 29 points from Boo Buie on 12-for-25 shooting from the field. Buie leads the Wildcats on the season, averaging 18.5 points per game and 5.3 assists per game.
Ty Berry and Ryan Langborg average 11.5 and 11.3 points per game, respectively.
For Ohio State, Bruce Thornton leads the Buckeyes into this one, averaging 16.0 points per game, 4.5 assists per game, and 3.2 rebounds per game. Jamison Battle averages 14.2 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game, and Roddy Gayle averages 13.7 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game.
The game was tipped at 8:42, and Northwestern won the tip, but Ohio State sophomore guard Roddy Gayle scored the first points.
Points didn’t come easy to start, as Ohio State started 1-for-5 from the field, and Northwestern started 2-for-6. Five of Ohio State’s first nine points came from the free-throw line, while Northwestern started 2-for-4 from the three-point line.
Jamison Battle made the first three-pointer for the Buckeyes. He averages 2.9 made three-pointers per game, which leads the Big Ten.
At the under-12 media timeout, Northwestern led Ohio State 15-12.
Bowen Hardman came into this one and immediately hit a three-pointer to try and provide a spark. He knocked down a three-pointer and helped cut into the Buckeye deficit. However, the Wildcats shot 7-for-13 from three-point range, leading the Buckeyes 41-30 at the half.
Ryan Langborg led Northwestern with 14 points at the half, while Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle led the Buckeyes with nine points each.
The Wildcats picked up where they left off, starting the second half on a 5-0 run to take a 46-30 early second-half lead.
Boo Buie knocked down a three-pointer to give the Wildcats a 50-33 lead at the under-16 timeout. After another field goal, Buie became the third leading scorer in Northwestern history.
The Buckeye's shooting struggles continued throughout the second half, as the Wildcats were able to take a 59-39 lead into the under-12 media timeout. This was the largest deficit of the year for the Buckeyes.
At the under-8 media timeout, Northwestern stretched the lead to 71-40. The Wildcats never made it easier on the Buckeyes, as the Buckeyes trailed 81-46 at the under-4 media timeout.
Northwestern finished this contest off with an 83-58 win.
Boo Buie led the Wildcats with 19 points, while Roddy Gayle and Bruce Thornton led Ohio State with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Here are some storylines from the game:
Ohio State shooting woes
Over the last five games, Ohio State is 27-for-111 (24.3%) from the three-point line. Graduate senior forward Jamison Battle is 14-for-29 (48.3%), while the rest of the team is 13-for-82 (15.9%). They started Big Ten play third in the conference from the three-point line and have fallen to eighth place.
The Buckeyes finished 5-for-19 from three-point range and 14-for-39 from the field against Northwestern.
Bowen Hardman enters
Entering the Nebraska game, the Buckeyes were looking for a spark shooting the ball, so Chris Holtmann turned to sophomore guard Bowen Hardman, who finished with 11 points on 3-for-7 shooting.
Hardman entered the first half against Northwestern and made his first three-point attempt. He finished the half 1-for-2 from three-point range and overall.
Three-point defense
Not only have the Buckeyes struggled to make shots, but the three-point defense from the Buckeyes has left a lot to be desired. Over the last five games where the Buckeyes have been slumping, Buckeyes opponents have shot 49-for-108 (45.4%) from the three-point line. In the first half of this contest, Northwestern shot 7-for-13 from three-point range to take an 11-point lead into the half.
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