No. 2 Ohio State extends winning streak to 13 with victory over Penn State in Happy Valley
An eight-day break from action had no impact on Ohio State's momentum. The No. 2 Buckeyes won their 13th straight, beating Penn State 82-69 in Happy Valley on Thursday.
The Buckeyes returned to the court for the first time since their victory over Nebraska on Feb. 14 to face the Nittany Lions, who were trying to avoid a six-game losing streak.
Hitting back-to-back 3-pointers in the first minute of play, Ohio State had the hot hand early. That was part of a 13-0 Buckeyes' run led by Cotie McMahon, who scored 9 of her 16 points in the first quarter.
"I thought we had a great start," OSU coach Kevin McGuff said. " I thought that was the key. They've had a great season, they're very talented, but they haven't played quite as well lately. But I felt like if we gave them confidence early, it could be a long night for us."
Penn State was held scoreless until the 5:31 mark in the first quarter, which set a very different tone than Ohio State's prior meeting with the Nittany Lions in December, which went into overtime. Going 4 for 8 from 3-point range in the first 10 minutes, the Buckeyes were only two shy of the six 3-pointers they totaled in the previous matchup. Ohio State ended up 11 for 27 from behind the arc Thursday.
McMahon, Jacy Sheldon and Rebeka Mikulasikova all finished the game with two or more 3-pointers. Celeste Taylor recorded a season-high 4 for 7 from deep. She was 6 for 12 overall.
"I shot it ok the first half," Taylor said. "So, I think for me it was just staying locked in, staying locked and loaded. Knowing that I work on my shots and being confident, shooting my shots."
Throughout the first half, Ohio State's defense in both the press and half-court looked improved from where it was back in December. Forcing 14 turnovers and collecting 12 points off those turnovers, the Buckeyes went into halftime ahead 37-24.
Right before the buzzer, Taylor was pushed and hit her head hard on the court, but she said after the game that she felt fine.
In fact, the third quarter was almost all Taylor for Ohio State, as the graduate transfer went a perfect 4 for 4 from the field and put up 11 of OSU's 27 points.
Taylor finished with 16 points and 7 assists. She and the rest of the Buckeyes' starters all recorded double-digit scoring. And Ohio State had 21 assists compared to Penn State's 12.
"It's easy when we're moving the ball like that, finding the open person and hitting shots," Sheldon said. "So, it's fun. I think our chemistry's only getting stronger and we're starting to find each other more."
With 3:06 left in the fourth, Ohio State redshirt senior Rikki Harris went down after landing awkwardly on her left ankle following a missed layup. Helped off the court, she remained on the bench for the rest of the game.
"She sprained her ankle," McGuff said after the game. "I don't really know how severe that was."
The Buckeyes return to Value City Arena for their final two games of the regular season. The first is on Sunday, Feb. 25 to face Maryland on Senior Day. If Ohio State wins that matchup and then the following game on Wednesday, Feb. 28 against Michigan, the team will secure sole possession of the Big Ten regular season title.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: No. 2 Ohio State defeats Penn State 82-69 to extend winning streak
