money No. 17 Ohio State women's basketball pulls away from Bucknell in second half, 71-48
In a little over three minutes to start the second half, the Ohio State women’s basketball team tripled the number of assists it had in the first 20 minutes.
The high-tempo, ball-sharing offense was more of what coach Kevin McGuff expects from his team, rather than the oftentimes sloppy, poor-shooting first half that the No. 17 Buckeyes had in their season opener against Bucknell.
But the first game of the season is often far from perfect. And considering the Buckeyes lost arguably their most important player for the season just earlier this week, they’ll no doubt take a double-digit win that they know is far from their best.
Ohio State shook off a stagnant second quarter to beat Bucknell 71-48 to open a season that the Buckeyes hope will end with them back in the NCAA tournament after serving a self-imposed postseason ban last season.
"It was kind of the typical opening game, a mixed bag for us,” McGuff said. “We had some stretches where we were really good and some stretches we just weren't, on both ends of the floor. A lot of positive stuff, but man, a long way to go for us to be the team I think we're capable of being.”
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Guard Jacy Sheldon led all scorers with 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting. Transfer Taylor Mikesell hit four 3-pointers and ended the night with 14 points in her Buckeye debut.
After taking a 16-7 lead to open the game, Ohio State went cold from the field and allowed Bucknell to claw back into the game. From 2:11 remaining in the first quarter until the end of the half, Ohio State was 3-for-19 shooting and missed 13 straight shots at one point. Bucknell took a 22-20 lead with 4:49 remaining in the half before Ohio State retook a four-point lead entering the break.
It was the type of drought that could be expected as the team adjusts to having point guard Madison Greene out for the season with a knee injury. Without its offensive engine, Ohio State didn't move the ball well in the front court in the first half and struggled to create good looks at the basket.
By the start of the second half, the Buckeyes recommitted themselves to moving the ball, which led to good shots.
The type of offense Ohio State wants to run was exemplified on back-to-back possessions when guard Kateri Poole found Sheldon for a lay-in, then Sheldon found Poole on the left wing for an open 3-pointer. Ohio State made 7-of-12 shots in the quarter and reclaimed a comfortable 51-38 lead.
In the first half, Ohio State had just two assists. The Buckeyes ended the game with 10.
"We definitely emphasized that coming out and we executed pretty early there,” Sheldon said. “That's definitely what got us going: moving the ball and making the extra pass.”
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Ohio State was getting contributions from all over the floor. Guard Hevynne Bristow, Mikesell, Tanaya Beachem and Sheldon made four consecutive shots for a commanding 20-point lead with 6:12 remaining.
Ohio State shot 23 for 56 for the game. Braxtin Miller, one of the expected leading scorers on the team, had a quiet night. She scored five points and missed her four shots.
Starting center Rebeka Mikulasikova struggled with foul trouble, ending the game with four points and two rebounds in 14 minutes. Tanaya Beachem was solid off the bench, scoring eight points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Mikesell, who was cleared by the NCAA to play a day before the game, gave the Buckeyes some life at several moments in the game. The Oregon transfer opened the scoring with a deep 2-pointer and buried a 3-pointer to give Ohio State a seven-point lead to open the third quarter. Bucknell never got closer than six the rest of the game.
"It felt great,” Mikesell said. “I didn't get a chance to play in the exhibition game 'cause I wasn't cleared yet, so it was just nice seeing that first one go through.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: No. 17 Ohio State women's basketball beats Bucknell in season opener
