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Ohio State women’s basketball ends UConn’s Final Four streak

By Ryan Stano

Ohio State's Cotie McMahon (32) reacts in disbelief after a foul was called on he during the Sweet 16 game against UConn in the NCAA college basketball tournament at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA on Saturday, March 25, 2023.Ncaa Basketball Uconn Ohio State
Ohio State's Cotie McMahon (32) reacts in disbelief after a foul was called on he during the Sweet 16 game against UConn in the NCAA college basketball tournament at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA on Saturday, March 25, 2023.Ncaa Basketball Uconn Ohio State /
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The Ohio State women’s basketball team came into today’s game against UConn with one goal in mind; to make the Elite 8. After a hard-fought victory over North Carolina, the Buckeyes had to feel good about how they’ve been playing at the end of this season.

UConn is the gold standard in women’s college basketball. They have won 11 national championships under Geno Auriemma and had made 14 straight final fours coming into this year. They hadn’t missed the Final Four since way back in 2007.

Well, they’ll be missing it this year! The Ohio State women’s basketball team took down the Huskies to make their first Elite 8 since 1993. The Buckeyes won by a score of 79-70. It was a defensive effort in the first half that really gave the Buckeyes confidence that they could win this game.

They forced 18 turnovers in the first half. UConn was completely flustered by the full-court press. Cotie McMahon also carried the torch on the offensive side of the ball. She had 18 points on 6-11 shooting in the first half and helped the Buckeyes establish a 10-point lead into halftime.

The Bucks were able to keep bringing it in the second half and led by as much as 18 in the fourth quarter. McMahon ended up with 23 points before she fouled out with just over a minute left in the game. Jacy Sheldon was the star in the second half, accumulating 17 points in the game.

Sheldon’s effort from the free-throw line was stellar. She was a perfect 10-10 from the line. That shooting kept the Buckeyes ahead in the game and put them on to the Elite 8. They now have a really good shot to make the Final Four now that UConn is out of the tournament.

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What a great win for these ladies! I can’t wait to see them continue their run.