While football team was involved in a gritty, trying road test in difficult conditions, the women's basketball team was not. The Bucketbucks handled business on the home front, trouncing LIU Brooklyn 113-54.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 32 | 27 | 30 | 24 | 113 |
| LIU Brooklyn | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 54 |
It was never close. Ohio State scored the game's first 11 points and extended continued to pour it on throughout the first half thanks to hot shooting. Guards Kelsey Mitchell and Sierra Calhoun were lights out from three-point range, shooting a combined 9-9 from the arc in the first half.
With the game well at hand, bench players were on the floor much of the second half. All three of the team's freshmen played over 20 minutes – career highs in minutes for all players.
| OHIO STATE | STAT | LIU Brooklyn |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | POINTS | 54 |
| 44-87 (51%) | FGM-FGA (PCT.) | 17-54 (31%) |
| 10-20 (50%) | 3PM-3PA (PCT.) | 12-27 (44%) |
| 15-22 (68%) | FTM-FTA (PCT.) | 8-13 (62%) |
| 10 | TURNOVERS | 28 |
| 56 | TOTAL REBOUNDS | 30 |
| 24 | OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 7 |
| 32 | DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 23 |
| 46 | BENCH POINTS | 30 |
| 5 | BLOCKS | 0 |
| 18 | STEALS | 2 |
| 21 | ASSISTS | 11 |
Tori McCoy pulled down a game and career-high 12 rebounds while scoring nine points. Jensen Caretti also had a career performance on the boards, pulling down a career-high nine rebounds. Kiara Lewis had 12 points.
Forward Stephanie Mavunga did not play Saturday. The starting forward played just 14 minutes in the team's win over Cleveland State, but sat most of the blowout with some clear discomfort. Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff did not disclose the nature of the discomfort, but said she was kept out as a precaution.
"She's fine. I guess she's getting old," McGuff said with a laugh.
In Mavunga's absence, Makayla Waterman had a big game in the post. The redshirt sophomore scored 15 points and pulled down nine rebounds – both season highs for her.
The Buckeyes now have a few days off before they travel to Florida for the Gulf Coast Showcase. Ohio State will open the tournament with a game against Florida Gulf Coast on Friday at 5 p.m.
