| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 20 | 14 | 21 | 17 | 33 | 105 |
| Michigan State | 17 | 17 | 23 | 15 | 35 | 107 |
The only thing standing between Ohio State and its first Big Ten title since 2010 was Michigan State – and the Spartans held strong, downing the Buckeyes in triple-overtime 107-105.
Ohio State's typical high-powered offense was not on display Saturday afternoon. Just three Buckeyes scored in double figures in 55 minutes of game time, and Asia Doss (14 points) scored just once in the second half and overtime.
Ameryst Alston, the team's second leading scorer, was cold much of the game. She managed 13 points on the night, but had just seven before overtime. The typical sharpshooter shot a paltry 7 for 21 from the field.
While the rest of the offense struggled to find points, Kelsey Mitchell took over. The Buckeye star scored 48 points, breaking her own school record of 42. Of her ridiculous point total, 38 came in the second half and overtime. Along with the points, Mitchell was active on the boards, pulling down 8 rebounds.
Still, it was not enough.
The Buckeyes had plenty of chances to win it – none better than a deep Kelsey Mitchell three as time expired – but couldn't do enough to secure a share of the Big Ten title.
Ohio State's achilles heal was finally exposed – a lack of depth. The team's roster is not one that favors 20 minutes of extra basketball in two games. Again plagued with injuries, the Buckeyes have been forced to use a seven-player rotation this season. In the overtime periods, Ohio State was gassed from the heavy minutes and it led to careless turnovers, lazy defense and sloppy play.
To make matters worse, the already fatigued team had to battle foul trouble. Shayla Cooper fouled out in the fourth quarter and Makayla Waterman in the second overtime period. Ohio State was forced to play four tired guards against a team already dominating them in the post.
With the loss, Ohio State's Big Ten Championship hopes rest on Sunday's Maryland-Minnesota matchup. With a Gopher win, the Buckeyes would claim a share of their first conference title since 2010 and take the top seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.
All hope is not lost, but Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff knows his team missed a golden opportunity tonight.
"We had a chance to control our destiny today and we didn't do it, so that's disappointing," said McGuff. "But I am proud of the effort our kids put in today."
With a bitter taste in its mouth, Ohio State's gaze now shifts to the Big Ten Tournament. As likely the No. 2 seed, the Buckeyes earned a double-bye and will face the winner of the No. 7 vs. No. 10 seed matchup, Friday at 6:30 in Indianapolis.
Ohio State has not won the conference tournament since 2011, and a strong performance would go a long way to improving the Buckeyes' seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State would obviously like to earn a No. 2 seed and host the first weekend's games.
