The Buckeyes rebounded from their West Coast losses with a hard-fought win over Minnesota. 19-6 Minnesota was very game in their trip to Columbus. The Gophers stayed with the Buckeyes the entire game, taking 8th -anked Ohio State to overtime. The Buckeyes ultimately won 87-84, behind 25 points from star forward Cotie McMahon.
Minnesota came ready to compete with Ohio State at the rim. They outrebounded the Buckeyes 35-27, and both teams were tied with 48 points in the paint. Ohio State found a strong advantage in transition and in the turnover battle. Minnesota only had four more turnovers than Ohio State, 21-17, but the Buckeyes had 30 points off of turnovers to Minnesota’s 23.
13 of Minnesota’s 21 turnovers were steals by Ohio State. Ohio State also had a huge advantage with 18 points on the fast break to the Gophers' four. The Buckeyes were taking the ball away from Minnesota and then taking it to the basket.
Both teams had a great night hitting their shots. The Gophers shot a great 50.7% from the field. Ohio State was scarlet hot, though, shooting 59.3% from the field. Minnesota had all the ingredients for an upset on the road, but the Buckeyes just overpowered the Gophers with defense. They forced turnovers and turned them into points, and that was the difference in the game.
Minnesota falls to 19-7 (7-7), and Ohio State gets their 21st win and is 21-3 (10-3). They host the Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday in a rematch of their classic battle last year when the Buckeyes upset Caitlin Clark in her historic season. Iowa is 18-7 (8-6) and can’t be overlooked.
They had a five-game losing streak in January that they have now answered with a six-game winning streak. Hannah Stuelke and Cotie McMahon will look to put on a show on Monday night in Columbus.