In a heart-stopping clash that extended into overtime, the Ohio State Buckeyes emerged victorious with a 100-92 win against the No. 2 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. The game, held at the Schottenstein Center, not only marked the Buckeyes' most significant win of the season but also witnessed the largest home crowd ever for the program, with a record attendance of 18,660 fans – the highest for any indoor women's college basketball game this season.
The Hawkeyes, led by the stellar performance of Caitlin Clark, who scored an impressive 45 points, entered the game on a 15-game winning streak. However, the Buckeyes managed to halt Iowa's streak, improving their season record to 15-3 and 6-1 in Big Ten play.
The first half of the game showcased a fierce back-and-forth battle, with neither team securing a lead of more than four points. Iowa held a narrow 45-43 advantage going into halftime, capitalizing on fast break points to gain an edge. Caitlin Clark and Cotie McMahon were standout performers in the opening half, setting the stage for an intense second half.
The second half saw Caitlin Clark continuing her scoring prowess, sinking crucial three-pointers to give Iowa an eight-point lead. However, Ohio State responded with determination as McMahon and Sheldon combined for 15 points in just over three minutes, narrowing Iowa's lead to two points. Celeste Taylor's layup eventually gave Ohio State its first lead of the second half.
As the game headed into overtime, McMahon's stellar performance continued, scoring six of the first eight points to secure an 89-85 lead for Ohio State. Despite Clark's efforts to cut the lead with a three-pointer, Jacy Sheldon and Rebeka Mikulasikova's contributions extended the Buckeyes' lead to a decisive victory.
Looking ahead, Ohio State will face back-to-back road games against Illinois and Purdue before returning home to host Wisconsin on February 1. The win against Iowa marks Ohio State's first victory this season against a team currently ranked in the AP Top 25.
In a notable off-court moment, former Ohio State football star Marvin Harrison Jr. was honored at the Schottenstein Center, adding to the excitement surrounding the Buckeyes' impressive win. Despite a postgame court-storming incident involving Caitlin Clark and an Ohio State fan, the star player confirmed she was okay and received an apology from Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith.
The Buckeyes' triumph not only signifies a pivotal moment in their season but also showcases the team's resilience and ability to secure a historic win in front of their passionate home crowd.
