In a commanding performance, the No. 12/11 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1, 1-0 B1G) women's basketball team secured a decisive 73-49 victory over Grand Valley State (7-1, 1-0 GLIAC) on Friday evening at Value City Arena. The game showcased Ohio State's dominance on both ends of the court, as they utilized a potent combination of stifling defense and balanced scoring to secure the win.
Ohio State wasted no time asserting their dominance, using an 11-0 run in the first quarter to establish a 24-11 lead after the opening 10 minutes. Led by Rebeka Mikulášiková's free throws and an impressive defensive effort, the Buckeyes set the tone early and never looked back.
The second quarter saw the Buckeyes extend their lead even further, outscoring Grand Valley State 19-8 and heading into halftime with a commanding 43-19 advantage. Celeste Taylor's fastbreak layup and a collective effort from Jacy Sheldon and Taylor Thierry, who both reached double figures in the quarter, highlighted Ohio State's offensive prowess.
The Buckeyes showcased an outstanding defensive performance, totaling a season-best 22 steals and forcing Grand Valley State into a season-high 32 turnovers. The defensive unit was relentless, particularly in the first half, as they forced 11 turnovers and recorded eight steals in the opening quarter alone.
Jacy Sheldon led the scoring for Ohio State, reaching double figures for the ninth time this season and finishing with 15 points in just 21 minutes of play. Taylor Thierry contributed 11 points, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor. Notably, Madison Greene, returning from injury, made a significant impact, contributing to the team's success and expressing optimism about her ongoing development.
The Buckeyes continued their defensive excellence, marking the seventh game of the season with at least 10 steals. The team finished with a remarkable 22 steals, the most in a single game since November 20, 2022, when they tallied 25 steals against McNeese State. Ohio State forced a season-high 32 turnovers, with the last time they achieved 30+ turnovers dating back to the previous season against McNeese State.
Head Coach Kevin McGuff expressed satisfaction with Madison Greene's progress, noting her increased comfort and potential impact on the team. Greene, a redshirt senior guard, shared her excitement about being back on the court, highlighting the importance of her free throws and her eagerness to contribute further to the team's success.
With a resounding win behind them, Ohio State now sets its sights on a challenging matchup against No. 2/2 UCLA on Monday. The Buckeyes will host the game at 6:30 p.m. ET, and fans are encouraged to wear white in support of their team. As Ohio State continues to build momentum, the clash with UCLA promises to be a thrilling encounter that fans won't want to miss.
