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No. 9 Ohio State women’s basketball upset by Penn State 62-59
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The winless in conference play Nittany Lions went down 12 in the first quarter before making three quarters hard on the Buckeyes
The No. 9 Ohio State women’s basketball team (17-1, 6-1) had bad news before the game on Sunday, losing point guard Jaloni Cambridge due to illness when the Buckeyes faced the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-9, 1-7). Ohio State missed chances late and the Nittany Lions held on to beat the Buckeyes 62-59.
Despite losing their starting point guard, everything went the Buckeyes’ way in the first quarter. Forward Cotie McMahon got the visitors going with two consecutive shots from beyond the arc, leading early 4-of-6 perimeter shooting for head coach Kevin McGuff’s side. Ohio State quickly amassed a 14-2 lead offensively. Defensively, six turnovers in the first six minutes, and holding the Nittany Lions to no points for over five minutes, gave all appearances that it would be a tough day for the home team.
The old saying “looks may be deceiving” applied Sunday when Penn State came roaring back. Head coach Carolyn Kieger’s side scored eight of the last 12 points of the first quarter and carried that momentum right into the second. That’s when runs of seven and eight points gave Penn State a first-half lead.
McMahon, who led Ohio State scorers in the first quarter with eight points, picked up two fouls in the first half, leading McGuff to put the junior on the bench. With both McMahon and Cambridge off the court, creating offense became a struggle, and Ohio State didn’t score for the first 4:20 of the second quarter.
In that nearly five-minute stretch, Ohio State only took three shots, giving the ball away after passing around the perimeter and finding no way to break through the Penn State defense. The Nittany Lions scored six points off six turnovers in the second quarter, which is usually the Buckeyes’ game, but the visitors couldn’t hit shots, couldn't get into their press, and looked disjointed in the defensive half-court, leading to open baskets for guard Talayah Walker.
Both Walker and former Michigan State guard Jayla Oden attacked Ohio State at the basket, combining for 16 of Penn State’s 30 first-half points. The Nittany Lions turned a 12-point first-half deficit into a three-point lead heading into the halftime locker room.
To start the third quarter, McGuff’s defensive focus shifted and the Buckeyes abandoned the press. It’s the same response the coach had when Ohio State was down 13 to Michigan at halftime on Jan. 8. The two sides traded baskets to start, with McMahon again hitting Ohio State’s first two shots of the half, but the plan worked, The Buckeyes looked more focused, leading to a 10-point run.
Ohio State forced three turnovers in the first four minutes and turned them into eight points. Starting guard Madison Greene put the Buckeyes ahead with a corner three, with Taylor Thierry hitting one of her own to earn a seven-point lead.
Coach Kieger for Penn State called a timeout to slow the run and whatever the Nittany Lions’ leader said — it worked.
Penn State came out of the timeout aggressive on offense, no longer phased by a lack of Ohio State full-court press. Guard Moriah Murray and forward Gracie Merkle took turns hitting shots to earn back the lead. Murray hit two of her four three-point shots of the day at that point to hit double-figure scoring for the first time since Dec. 15. The 6-foot-6 Merkle hit two layups and McGuff needed a timeout of his own to regroup.
The Ohio State timeout turned into increased intensity, but it wouldn’t last long and Penn State attacked inside the paint. At the end of the third, after four lead changes, the game was tied at 51-51.
Merkle and guard Gabby Elliot put the Lions up after scoring the first five points of the quarter, but Gray responded with two three-pointers to tie the game.
For the next two minutes, each side was off the scoresheet, defending each other well and trying to not be the team that made a game-changing mistake. Not part of it was McMahon who picked up her fourth foul, causing McGuff to put her back on the bench until later in the quarter.
Elliot hit the shot to end the deadlock that lasted over four minutes. Ohio State forward Ajae Petty got to the free throw line on the next offensive possession, missing one to keep the Buckeyes down a point. Then Elliot responded again, hitting three baskets in a row for the Lions and building a three-point lead.
With 49 seconds remaining, Ohio State had the ball and nearly gave it away if not for a whistle called on Elliot. The former Michigan State product tried forcing a turnover but knocked Greene over in the process. After another PSU foul, McMahon went to the line with the Buckeyes getting into the bonus with 40 seconds remaining. The junior hit both, setting Ohio State up for a potential game-winner if they could get a stop on defense.
On defense, the home side took time off the clock before Elliot earned a foul call against Thierry. On the second shot, Elliot missed and the Buckeyes couldn’t get the rebound. The ball went out of bounds but McMahon got a hand on it, giving the ball back to Penn State and requiring fouls and missed free throws for an Ohio State comeback.
With 16 seconds remaining, the Buckeyes had their chance after Jayla Oden missed one of her two free throws. Down three points, Gray had the ball from deep, took a chance on a three-point shot and Walker blocked the shot. McMahon grabbed a steal on the inbound but Gray missed another opportunity, handing Penn State the win.
McMahon and Gray led the scoring on the day for Ohio State, scoring 19 and 18 points respectively. For Penn State, the Lions had four players scoring in double figures with Elliot’s 14 points leading coach Kieger’s side.
Ohio State is back home for two of the next three games, starting with the highest-ranked opponent the Buckeyes will see at home this season when No. 8 Maryland comes to the Schottenstein Center. The Buckeyes and Terrapins tip off at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Last season, Ohio State beat Maryland twice in the regular season for the first time since the 15-16 season but Maryland made up for it in the Big Ten Tournament. The Terrapins beat the Scarlet and Gray 82-61 and outrebounded Ohio State 34-21. It was the first time a McGuff-led Ohio State side lost in the quarterfinals when they entered that round.
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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 women’s basketball on Twitter | @OhioStateWBB
The winless in conference play Nittany Lions went down 12 in the first quarter before making three quarters hard on the Buckeyes
The No. 9 Ohio State women’s basketball team (17-1, 6-1) had bad news before the game on Sunday, losing point guard Jaloni Cambridge due to illness when the Buckeyes faced the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-9, 1-7). Ohio State missed chances late and the Nittany Lions held on to beat the Buckeyes 62-59.
Despite losing their starting point guard, everything went the Buckeyes’ way in the first quarter. Forward Cotie McMahon got the visitors going with two consecutive shots from beyond the arc, leading early 4-of-6 perimeter shooting for head coach Kevin McGuff’s side. Ohio State quickly amassed a 14-2 lead offensively. Defensively, six turnovers in the first six minutes, and holding the Nittany Lions to no points for over five minutes, gave all appearances that it would be a tough day for the home team.
The old saying “looks may be deceiving” applied Sunday when Penn State came roaring back. Head coach Carolyn Kieger’s side scored eight of the last 12 points of the first quarter and carried that momentum right into the second. That’s when runs of seven and eight points gave Penn State a first-half lead.
McMahon, who led Ohio State scorers in the first quarter with eight points, picked up two fouls in the first half, leading McGuff to put the junior on the bench. With both McMahon and Cambridge off the court, creating offense became a struggle, and Ohio State didn’t score for the first 4:20 of the second quarter.
In that nearly five-minute stretch, Ohio State only took three shots, giving the ball away after passing around the perimeter and finding no way to break through the Penn State defense. The Nittany Lions scored six points off six turnovers in the second quarter, which is usually the Buckeyes’ game, but the visitors couldn’t hit shots, couldn't get into their press, and looked disjointed in the defensive half-court, leading to open baskets for guard Talayah Walker.
Both Walker and former Michigan State guard Jayla Oden attacked Ohio State at the basket, combining for 16 of Penn State’s 30 first-half points. The Nittany Lions turned a 12-point first-half deficit into a three-point lead heading into the halftime locker room.
To start the third quarter, McGuff’s defensive focus shifted and the Buckeyes abandoned the press. It’s the same response the coach had when Ohio State was down 13 to Michigan at halftime on Jan. 8. The two sides traded baskets to start, with McMahon again hitting Ohio State’s first two shots of the half, but the plan worked, The Buckeyes looked more focused, leading to a 10-point run.
Ohio State forced three turnovers in the first four minutes and turned them into eight points. Starting guard Madison Greene put the Buckeyes ahead with a corner three, with Taylor Thierry hitting one of her own to earn a seven-point lead.
Coach Kieger for Penn State called a timeout to slow the run and whatever the Nittany Lions’ leader said — it worked.
Penn State came out of the timeout aggressive on offense, no longer phased by a lack of Ohio State full-court press. Guard Moriah Murray and forward Gracie Merkle took turns hitting shots to earn back the lead. Murray hit two of her four three-point shots of the day at that point to hit double-figure scoring for the first time since Dec. 15. The 6-foot-6 Merkle hit two layups and McGuff needed a timeout of his own to regroup.
The Ohio State timeout turned into increased intensity, but it wouldn’t last long and Penn State attacked inside the paint. At the end of the third, after four lead changes, the game was tied at 51-51.
Merkle and guard Gabby Elliot put the Lions up after scoring the first five points of the quarter, but Gray responded with two three-pointers to tie the game.
For the next two minutes, each side was off the scoresheet, defending each other well and trying to not be the team that made a game-changing mistake. Not part of it was McMahon who picked up her fourth foul, causing McGuff to put her back on the bench until later in the quarter.
Elliot hit the shot to end the deadlock that lasted over four minutes. Ohio State forward Ajae Petty got to the free throw line on the next offensive possession, missing one to keep the Buckeyes down a point. Then Elliot responded again, hitting three baskets in a row for the Lions and building a three-point lead.
With 49 seconds remaining, Ohio State had the ball and nearly gave it away if not for a whistle called on Elliot. The former Michigan State product tried forcing a turnover but knocked Greene over in the process. After another PSU foul, McMahon went to the line with the Buckeyes getting into the bonus with 40 seconds remaining. The junior hit both, setting Ohio State up for a potential game-winner if they could get a stop on defense.
On defense, the home side took time off the clock before Elliot earned a foul call against Thierry. On the second shot, Elliot missed and the Buckeyes couldn’t get the rebound. The ball went out of bounds but McMahon got a hand on it, giving the ball back to Penn State and requiring fouls and missed free throws for an Ohio State comeback.
With 16 seconds remaining, the Buckeyes had their chance after Jayla Oden missed one of her two free throws. Down three points, Gray had the ball from deep, took a chance on a three-point shot and Walker blocked the shot. McMahon grabbed a steal on the inbound but Gray missed another opportunity, handing Penn State the win.
McMahon and Gray led the scoring on the day for Ohio State, scoring 19 and 18 points respectively. For Penn State, the Lions had four players scoring in double figures with Elliot’s 14 points leading coach Kieger’s side.
What’s Next
Ohio State is back home for two of the next three games, starting with the highest-ranked opponent the Buckeyes will see at home this season when No. 8 Maryland comes to the Schottenstein Center. The Buckeyes and Terrapins tip off at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Last season, Ohio State beat Maryland twice in the regular season for the first time since the 15-16 season but Maryland made up for it in the Big Ten Tournament. The Terrapins beat the Scarlet and Gray 82-61 and outrebounded Ohio State 34-21. It was the first time a McGuff-led Ohio State side lost in the quarterfinals when they entered that round.
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