Around the Oval is Eleven Warriors' weekly love letter to Ohio State sports that don't get the coverage they should.
Familiar Headline: Craft leads Buckeyes
The men's basketball team got off to a hot start this past week, moving to 2-0 in relatively easy fashion. Aaron Craft continues to be the leader for a team looking to build upon its Elite Eight run from a year ago, but it was his sister, Cait, who is averaging 22 points for the Lady Buckeyes, setting career highs in each of the first two games.
In the season opener, it was sophomore Ameryst Alston leading the way with 29 points, 6 assits, 5 boards and 3 steals. Cait Craft added 15 points (career-high at the time), a team-high 8 rebounds and 3 steals to help the Buckeyes cruise to a 70-61 win at West Virginia.
The Lady Buckeyes found a way to win with only eight healthy players, as new head coach Kevin McGuff won his first game at the helm. Ohio State was stout defensively, holding West Virginia to 31% shooting while blocking seven shots and grabbing eight steals.
On Sunday, Ohio State survived a scare from Florida Atlantic in the home opener, winning 91-88 after leading by 20 with just over seven minutes remaining. Cait Craft paced the Lady Buckeyes with 29 points and 4 assists, while Ameryst added 28 to go with 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Ameryst is currently leading Ohio State in scoring at 28.5 per game.
The Lady Buckeyes look poised for a big season under new coach Kevin McGuff. They return to action tomorrow night (Thursday) against VCU, before traveling to Georgia on Sunday to take on the Bulldogs.
Join us after the jump for the latest on Ohio State's smaller sports.
Soccer
The men's soccer team concluded their season today, while the women's team learned they would be competing in their fifth-consecutive NCAA tournament.
Ivanov writes his name in record booksThe men dropped their season opener in Madison to Wisconsin 2-0 to close out the regular season at 5-7-5 overall and 1-3-2 in Big Ten play. Ohio State actually finished the regular season quite strong, winning three of their last four games. With six saves in the loss, Alex Ivanov moved to seventh on the Ohio State single-season saves list with 101 this season. Prior to giving up a goal to Wisconsin, he had not allowed a goal in 445 minutes, last allowing a goal on October 13th.
With the loss, Ohio State secured the sixth seed in the Big Ten tournament, where they faced third-seeded Michigan State. Michigan State knocked off the Buckeyes 2-0, despite nine saves by Ivanov. With the effort, Ivanov finishes the season with the fifth-most saves in Ohio State history (110). After a scoreless first half, Michigan State scored twice in the second half, proving to be an insurmountable deficit for the Buckeyes. Ohio State finishes the season with a record of 5-8-5, despite allowing only 1 goal per game. The Buckeyes offense proved to be the difference between being competitive and being great, as Ohio State could only manage .72 goals per game.
The women's team, despite failing to qualify for the Big Ten tournament, earned a berth in the NCAA tournament and will face Kentucky on Friday in Lexington. The Wildcats went 13-6-1 in the regular season, finishing fifth in the SEC.
Swimming
The Ohio State swimming and diving teams opened up Big Ten play this weekend in West Lafayette. The men's team defeated No. 21 Iowa, No. 22 Purdue and Northwestern, while the women defeated Northwestern but fell to Purdue.
The men's team was led by Alex Miller, Josh Fleagle and Matt McHugh, all winning multiple events. Miller captured first place in the 1000 freestyle and 500 freestyle, Fleagle participated on two winning relay teams and won the 100 freestyle, while McHugh participated on two winning relay teams and won the 100 butterfly. With the sweep, the men improve to 8-0 this season and are currently ranked as the 10th best team nationally.
The women's team was led by first place finishers Kelly Ann Baird (1000 freestyle), Lindsey Clary (400 IM) and Alex Norris (500 freestyle). The Lady Buckeyes are 6-1 on the season and ranked 19th in the country.
Both teams return to action next Friday, when Ohio State hosts the Ohio State invitational.
Women's Volleyball
The Ohio State women's volleyball team returned to their winning ways this past weekend as they defeated Indiana (3-0) and No. 14 Purdue (3-1) in a pair of home matches. With the victories the Lady Buckeyes improved to 16-10 overall this season and 4-10 in Big Ten play.
Against Indiana, Kaitlyn Leary led Ohio State with 19 kills, while Taylor Sandbothe chipped in 14 kills and two blocks. Taylor Sherwin added 30 assists and Julianne Mandolfo recorded eight digs.
Leary and Sandbothe led the way offensively for the Buckeyes again on Saturday night against Purdue. Leary notched 18 kills and Sandbothe added 12 to go with seven blocks. Sherwin led all players with 48 assists, while Mandolfo made 15 digs.
Ohio State looks to build on its positive momentum when it hits the road to face Minnesota and Wisconsin this weekend.
UPCOMING Home EVENTS
Thursday: Women's Basketball vs. VCU, 7 pm, Value City Arena
Friday: Women's Ice Hockey vs. Minnesota Duluth, 3:07 pm, Schottenstein Center
Men's Ice Hockey vs. Canisius, 7:05 pm, Schottenstein Center
Saturday: Men's Volleyball Fall Tournament, 1 pm, St. John Arena
Women's Ice Hockey vs. Minnesota Duluth, 3:07 pm, Schottenstein Center
Men's Ice Hockey vs. Canisius, 7:05 pm, Schottenstein Center
