Las Vegas, NV - The Ohio State Buckeyes entered the 2023 college basketball season with high hopes, but they faced a tough challenge in their opening game against the USC Trojans. The game, part of the Hall of Fame Series, took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and it turned out to be a thrilling contest that ended with a victory for USC.
The Buckeyes, ranked No. 7/6, were looking to start their season on a positive note, but they faced a formidable opponent in the No. 21/21 USC Trojans, who already had a game under their belt. The game ended with a final score of 83-74 in favor of USC, giving them a 1-0 record while the Buckeyes started their season with a 0-1 record.
The game got off to an exciting start as Ohio State managed to take an early lead, with a score of 18-15 after the first 10 minutes of play. However, the Trojans quickly turned things around in the second quarter, going on a scoring spree to lead 46-28 at halftime. The third quarter saw the Buckeyes mount a comeback, outscoring the Trojans 30-10, which allowed them to take a 58-56 lead going into the final quarter. Unfortunately, USC regained their composure and reclaimed the lead in the fourth quarter, securing an 83-74 victory.
Jacy Sheldon was a standout player for the Buckeyes, reaching double figures with an impressive 28 points, mainly during the third quarter. Taylor Thierry also contributed significantly, scoring 10 points in the third quarter and totaling 16 points, while leading the team with eight rebounds. The Buckeye defense played a critical role in the game, forcing 20 turnovers and recording 10 steals.
The game's progression was marked by back-and-forth action. Rebeka Mikulášiková made an early move in the paint, giving Ohio State a lead before USC managed to take their first lead of the game with consecutive baskets. Ohio State responded with a couple of three-pointers, leading 11-9 during the first quarter. Celeste Taylor played a crucial role, extending the Buckeyes' lead to 16-9. The first quarter ended with Ohio State in front at 18-15.
The second quarter saw USC coming out strong, using a 5-0 run to take a 22-20 lead just two minutes in. Their momentum continued with a 13-0 run, allowing them to build a commanding 30-20 lead. Rikki Harris managed to break Ohio State's dry spell with a three-pointer, but USC was in control at halftime, leading 46-28.
The third quarter was a turning point for the Buckeyes as they rallied with a 10-point run, cutting their deficit to 53-44 with just under four minutes to play in the quarter. A 12-0 run gave Ohio State a 56-55 lead, and they finished the quarter ahead at 58-56.
The fourth quarter saw USC regain the lead with a 6-0 run, reaching 69-62 with 6:35 left on the clock. Ohio State called a timeout as the game approached its climax, with the score at 78-70 and less than two minutes to play. The game ultimately concluded with free throws, sealing USC's 83-74 win.
Some noteworthy game statistics include Ohio State's defense forcing 20 turnovers and recording 10 steals. Jacy Sheldon's performance stood out, marking her 78th time reaching double figures in her career with 28 points. Taylor Thierry also shone with 16 points and led the Buckeyes with eight rebounds. Diana Collins made her collegiate debut.
Head Coach Kevin McGuff expressed his thoughts on the game, stating,
"I told the team in the locker room that I think when we watch the film we'll be satisfied with the opportunities we got on offense, but we have to take advantage of those."
Looking ahead, the Buckeyes are gearing up for their next game, where they will host IUPUI on Sunday at 1 p.m. for family day. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Elite Eight T-shirt, and there will be a meet and greet with the team after the game. A special four-pack ticket offer is available for this game only, starting at $40 (service charges may apply).
