Coming into Tuesday’s home game against Bellarmine University, the Ohio State Buckeyes were rolling. In their first three games, they won convincingly. Ohio State averaged an over 30-point margin of victory against three smaller conference sides. Tuesday evening, that continued with an even more convincing 110-58 Buckeyes victory.
Bellarmine University, a school that moved from NCAA Division II to Division I just last year, had a difficult night. Their first game against the Buckeyes in school history started with incredible play by junior guard Jacy Sheldon.
Sheldon hit a three to start the night. Immediately after, Sheldon stole the ball and finished an uncontested layup. It was that kind of night for the Ohio-native. Sheldon ended the first half with 25 points on 10 for 12 shooting. Overall, Sheldon had a career night with 31 points, three steals and three rebounds.
“She did a great job of being really balanced,” said head coach Kevin McGuff on the guard’s career night. “Shooting from the three, she was good in the midrange and also got to the rim.
Ohio State ended the first quarter with 31 points, but defensively let Bellarmine stay in the game.
In the first quarter and a half, the perimeter defense of the Buckeyes lacked. On multiple occasions, Ohio State was caught with three or four players in the paint. Bellarmine hit open threes and got to within five early in the second quarter. Then things changed drastically.
A big reason for the tilt back to Ohio State’s favor was sophomore guard Kateri Poole. The point guard, who’s started the last three matches for Ohio State, had seven points. What stood out more was Poole’s ability to attack the basket, leading to two opportunities for three throws as she was fouled at the rim. Also, two big steals leading to a layup for Poole and an assist.
Poole ended the evening with 12 points on top of the two steals.
The usual Buckeyes full-court press defense started including stronger defense from deep. Ohio State forced 11 second quarter turnovers and ended the quarter on a 29 to zero scoring run. The Buckeyes took a 70-33 lead into halftime.
Ohio State’s second half was a mixture padding statistics for starters and getting young players minutes. Starters Sheldon, Braxtin Miller, Rebekah Miklasikova and Taylor Mikesell each played half the quarter. The Buckeyes extended their first half run to 33, before McGuff gave his starters the rest of the night off.
Big Night for the Freshmen
In the fourth quarter, Ohio State hit triple-digits, with four minutes left in the game. Coming up big at the end of the game was freshmen Taylor Thierry. The first-year Buckeye led Ohio State on the evening with eight rebounds. Thierry added nine points of the Buckeyes 110 too, behind only Tanaya Beacham in bench player points, who had 12.
“Taylor Thierry was really good,” said McGuff. “She gave us some really good minutes and you can see her athleticism and her potential.”
Forcing Turnovers
Contributing to the Buckeyes big win was their relentless defensive effort. Coming into the 2021/22 season, players talked about conditioning for the season. It was in full display Tuesday evening. Ohio State forced 28 turnovers. Of the Buckeyes 110 points, 46 came off turnovers. That’s when the game changed to head coach McGuff.
“In the second quarter, we got our press going,” said McGuff. “We were getting really quick baskets and allowed us to go on a run.”
Tougher Road Ahead
Tuesday’s victory allowed Ohio State to continue to gel as a newer, younger, team, but it’s getting more difficult soon.
Next up are the Cincinnati Bearcats. It’s their most difficult competition of the young season. The Bearcats have a 3-1 record, squeaking out a 46-45 win on Tuesday night. Ohio State can expect a motivated opponent in an in-state matchup.
Cincinnati takes on the Buckeyes Saturday, at 6:00 p.m. ET. From there, they travel to Syracuse on Wednesday, December 1.
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