**No. 12 Ohio State Women’s Basketball Outlasts Injured No. 8 Maryland Terrapins, 74-66**
In a hard-fought Big Ten showdown, the No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes secured a 74-66 victory over the No. 8 Maryland Terrapins, capitalizing on their depth and resilience against a depleted Maryland lineup. The highly anticipated clash, held at a packed Value City Arena, lived up to expectations as both teams showcased grit despite significant challenges.
Maryland entered the game missing key contributors due to injuries, including their standout forward and leading scorer. The absence of these pivotal players put immense pressure on the Terrapins, who leaned heavily on guard Shyanne Sellers and forward Brinae Alexander to keep them in contention. Sellers delivered a stellar performance with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Alexander added 15 points. However, Maryland struggled with turnovers and shot inconsistently from beyond the arc, finishing just 4-of-16 on three-point attempts.
Ohio State took advantage of Maryland’s limitations, using a balanced offensive approach and tenacious defense to dictate the tempo. Senior guard Taylor Mikesell, a former Maryland player, led the Buckeyes with 19 points, including clutch free throws down the stretch. Forward Cotie McMahon was equally instrumental, posting a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while guard Jacy Sheldon added 16 points and three steals, providing crucial energy on both ends of the court.
The Buckeyes’ defensive pressure was a decisive factor, forcing 17 Maryland turnovers and converting them into 21 points. Head coach Kevin McGuff praised his team’s effort, noting their ability to adjust and stay composed against a top-10 opponent. “Maryland’s a great team, even with their injuries, but I thought we executed well and played with intensity for 40 minutes,” McGuff said postgame.
Despite their injuries, Maryland showed incredible determination, cutting a 12-point deficit to just three late in the fourth quarter. However, Ohio State’s poise and execution in crunch time sealed the win, with Sheldon and Mikesell hitting critical baskets to thwart the comeback.
With the victory, Ohio State improves to 17-4 (8-2 Big Ten), bolstering their NCAA Tournament resume. Maryland drops to 18-3 (9-1 Big Ten) but remains a formidable contender in the conference. Both teams will look to recover and regroup as the regular season heats up.
This game underscores the competitive spirit of Big Ten women’s basketball, with Ohio State proving their mettle while Maryland demonstrated remarkable resilience despite adversity.
