Three days after hitting Cincinnati with a 63-10 run to end the game, the No. 12 Buckeyes picked up right where they left off, decimating an overmatched opponent in Southern, 108-73.
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 33 | 27 | 30 | 18 | 108 |
| Southern | 13 | 17 | 29 | 14 | 73 |
The outcome of the game was never really in question, but there was intrigue around Ohio State star Kelsey Mitchell. The junior guard needed 23 points to become fastest player in NCAA history to 2,000 points.
Mitchell hit that total midway through the fourth quarter and left the game to a standing ovation and an announcement over the PA system. She reached 2,000 points in 79 games – three games before any other player in NCAA history.
"To do this is amazing. She's a really special young woman," said Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff. "This hasn't happened by accident. She's one of the hardest workers I've ever been around. She's just relentless about getting better and just loves the game. It's a great accomplishment and acknowledgment of how much time and effort she's put into being who she is."
To Mitchell, it was again business as usual. She wasn't even aware she was close to the milestone until she went to shoot her free throws.
"I just heard on the sideline they were like 'get two points,' and I was like 'for what?'" Mitchell said after the game. "I had no clue, and then they said 'you need one more point, you need one more point!' So I was assuming that's what it was when they stopped the game."
The Buckeyes were without their top post presence yet again as Stephanie Mavunga was sidelined with soreness in her knees and likely won't return to action until the Buckeyes play four-time defending champion and top-tanked UConn later this month.
With Mavunga's absence, Alexa Hart again got the start, but it was freshman Tori McCoy who stole the show in the post. McCoy had herself a night, scoring a career-high 25 points while shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the floor.
A scary moment came early in the second quarter when Hart limped off the court and went straight to the locker room with what looked like a knee injury. It was nothing serious, and she returned to the game later in the quarter.
| OHIO STATE | STAT | Navy |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | POINTS | 73 |
| 36-59 (61%) | FGM-FGA (PCT.) | 25-69 (36%) |
| 5-13 (38%) | 3PM-3PA (PCT.) | 11-26 (42%) |
| 31-40 (78%) | FTM-FTA (PCT.) | 12-20 (60%) |
| 17 | TURNOVERS | 21 |
| 42 | TOTAL REBOUNDS | 37 |
| 8 | OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 15 |
| 34 | DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 22 |
| 38 | BENCH POINTS | 28 |
| 4 | BLOCKS | 1 |
| 8 | STEALS | 7 |
| 26 | ASSISTS | 16 |
Southern actually had a decent shooting performance in the first half, particularly from behind the arc. The Jaguars were 5-for-12 from deep in the first half, hitting most of their open threes.
Unfortunately for Southern, it was playing Ohio State. Anything the Jaguars did, the Buckeyes did it better. Ohio State shot over 60 percent from the field, 57 percent from three, owned a 12-10 advantage on the boards and led 60-30 at the half.
The second half went about according to script, with the Buckeyes cruising and young players getting plenty of action. Freshman Jensen Caretti had a sneakily stellar performance, making her only field goal attempt for two points and racking up six points and six rebounds.
"Jensen loves to share the ball," McGuff said after the game. "She's a very unselfish player and she tries to make the extra pass. She was really finding people today."
Four Buckeyes finished in double figures – Shayla Cooper (19), Sierra Calhoun (13), McCoy (25) and Mitchell (23).
The Buckeyes host Canisius Sunday at 2 p.m. in Value City Arena in one of two remaining games before the showdown with No. 1 UConn.
