On the final day of the 2021 calendar, the Ohio State Buckeyes traveled north, to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their challenge? Beat the no. 9 team in the country, the Michigan Wolverines. Unfortunately for Ohio State, they couldn’t return from their holiday break with a victory, losing 71-90.
Before the tip, Ohio State had a chance to take the lead. The Wolverine’s home, the Crisler Center, had a malfunctioning backboard. Michigan received a technical for a basket malfunction. Guard Taylor Mikesell missed the single free throw. The moment was small, but foreshadowed how the game would go for Ohio State.
Head Coach Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes started on a timeout inducing 0-to-8 run, by Michigan. The deficit wasn’t from lack of trying. Ohio State’s early trouble in the first quarter was due to missed chances. The Buckeyes didn’t convert their first six shots.
From that early timeout though, the Buckeyes fought back. Ohio State hit six of their last 11, ending the first quarter with only a four-point deficit. Although their shots started to hit, fouls riddled the first 10 minutes of the game. Ohio State committed eight fouls, and 13 total in the first half. Those fouls led to nine first half points for the Wolverines.
In the second, Ohio State kept the game close. Guard Kateri Poole scored quickly to bring Ohio State within two, but the Buckeye’s streaky shooting returned. Michigan went on a nine-point run. During that stretch, the Buckeyes missed four shots.
By the end of the first half, the Buckeyes faced a 14-point deficit to their rivals. While the Buckeyes won the battle from beyond the arc with five made attempts to two, Michigan dominated in the paint. The Wolverines out rebounded Ohio State 26 to 14, and scored 26 points in the paint.
The second half didn’t start any better for Ohio State. Michigan began the third quarter on a seven-point run. While Michigan’s scoring continued, as did the Buckeye’s foul trouble. Poole was substituted early on four fouls. Starting forward Rebeka Mikulasikova joined Poole with her third.
Michigan pushed their lead up to a game-high 23 points, in the third quarter. The Buckeyes fought back through a full court press. Ohio State frustrated the home side, cutting the lead down to 16. Then, Ohio State almost lost their starting point guard.
Poole passed to an open Tanaya Beacham but was whistled for her fifth foul. Poole left the court visibly shaken by the foul, but it wouldn’t last. After a review, the foul was overturned due to a charge not completely set by the Wolverines.
Ohio State responded. The Buckeyes press forced nine Michigan turnovers in the third quarter alone. Instead of a 23-point deficit, Ohio State were down 14 going into the final quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, it almost got worse for Ohio State. Inside the Wolverine’s paint, a struggle between Michigan’s Naz Hillman and Beacham led to Hillman falling on the head of Buckeyes guard Rikki Harris. Harris ended up being ok, and walked off the knock.
Michigan shook off the Ohio State pressure in the fourth, going on another big run. The Wolverines started the fourth on a nine-point jump. After three quarters of running the court, and keeping pace with Michigan, energy was drained. Michigan’s stars couldn’t be stopped.
Forward Emily Kiser scored 18 and grabbed a career high 15 rebounds. Guard Leigha Brown almost became the third Wolverine with a double-double on the day, but ended just shy with 24 points and seven assists.
Foul Problems
The largest stat discrepancy was in fouls. Ohio State struggled to keep out of foul trouble. Ohio State had 27 team fouls, compared to 12 for Michigan.
The biggest impact came from Mikulasikova. Instead of getting Mikulasikova’s 12.3 points per game average, Ohio State had zero points from their starting center.
Both Mikulasikova and Beacham fouled out, with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Neither registered a point in the defeat, combining for six rebounds overall.
Joining them on the bench was Harris, who fouled out near the end of the fourth. Harris contributed eight points and five rebounds in a starting performance.
Naz Hillman Dominance
Friday’s Michigan victory featured a milestone for senior Hillman. The Cleveland, Ohio native Hillman celebrated her 100th game in Maize & Blue. Hillman celebrated in a big way.
Michigan’s in the paint dominance went through Hillman. Ohio State put her on the foul line for 12 shots, making all but one. Those fouls made it difficult to leave forwards Rebeka Mikulasikova and Tanaya Beacham in the game, both with two within the first half.
The reigning Big Ten player of the year, Hillman had a double-double in the first half alone, scoring 15 and rebounding 10. Hillman ended the game with 29 points and 15 rebounds.
Working Through a Small Roster
From the tip, Ohio State was at a disadvantage. That’s because starting guard Braxtin Miller was unavailable due to COVID-19 protocol. Miller’s absence was on top of guard Madison Greene’s season-ending knee injury and and injured Heyvnne Bristow.
Miller’s 6.5 points per game and senior leadership were missed on the court. That was evident to head coach McGuff.
“She’s probably our highest basketball IQ person on the team,” said McGuff about Miller. “We missed her leadership and communication out there.”
Instead, bench players like Gabby Hutcherson and freshmen Taylor Thierry received important minutes. Unfortunately for Ohio State, the two contributed a combined four points and six rebounds.
What’s Next
With Monday’s Penn State visit to Columbus postponed due to Penn State COVID-19 issues, the Buckeyes are off until Thursday, January 6. Ohio State welcomes Illinois, who hold a 5-7 record.
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