Sunday night, the Ohio State Buckeyes had a big task. It was taking on their first top-25 team in the 2021/22 season. The Buckeyes welcomed the no. 10 Indiana Hoosiers to the Schottenstein Center. While keeping the game close at moments, Ohio State couldn’t overcome the strength of Indiana and now stare down a 20-point loss, 86-66.
From the tipoff, the Buckeyes came out with energy. Unfortunately, the result of that energy were turnovers. In the first five minutes of the game, Ohio State committed five turnovers.
Ohio State calmed down and got themselves back into the game. The Buckeyes were down 10 points before making their first shot of the contest. That lead got cut in more than half. The way Ohio State accomplished getting out of their early rut was from beyond the arc.
The Buckeyes hit 3-of-5 from three. At the end of the first quarter, Ohio State cut the deficit down to four, down 19-15.
In the second quarter, Indiana’s picked back up the pace.
The Hoosiers aren’t a team that focuses on shots from three. Instead, Indiana attacks the basket relentlessly. Although Ohio State successfully got their hands up, and tried contesting layups, but Indiana’s shots continued to fall.
Even under that pressure, Indiana was 10-for-16 in the second quarter. Overall, Indiana scored 28 first half points in the paint. Compare that to 29 points overall for Ohio State in the first 20 minutes. Indiana carried a 14-point lead into the second half.
Ohio State began the second half with a quick 5-0 run. Unfortunately, Indiana responded with a 6-0 run of their own before a timeout gave the Buckeyes momentary reprieve. It would get worse for Ohio State.
Indiana ended the third quarter extending their lead to 21. The way they did it was more of the same — attacking the basket and disrupting the Buckeyes offense.
The Buckeyes settled for shots off less ball movement than normal. Ohio State came into Sunday averaging 16.6 assists per game. Against Indiana’s defense, Ohio State had 14.
In the fourth quarter, the Buckeyes outscored their opponents 20-19, but at that point it was too late. Indiana kept in their starting strength till the final whistle and closed out their second Big Ten conference victory.
Indiana Stars Shine
Junior Mackenzie Holmes and senior Grace Berger were named to the preseason All-B1G Team. Tonight showed why. Holmes scored 30, seven rebounds and five blocks. Most of the night, Ohio State couldn’t slow Holmes down.
At guard, Berger contributed 21points and sevenrebounds of her own. Joining Berger and Holmes with a dominant performance of her own was Nicole Cardaño-Hillary. The fifth year graduate student Cardaño-Hillary put in a Berger-like performance. Cardaño-Hillary scored 17points, rebounded 7and added fourassists.
No matter where the Buckeyes focused on defense, there was another Hoosier that took advantage.
Turnover Issues
What stood out from the Buckeyes evening are turnovers. Ohio State lost the turnover battle to Indiana 17-12. From those Buckeyes mistakes, the Hoosiers capitalized in a big way. The Hoosiers scored 26 points off Ohio State errors.
Looking at the game as a whole, when the Buckeyes did play well in the fourth quarter, they gave up just one turnover.
“We had some unforced errors, but they played great defense, “said Head Coach Kevin McGuff about giving the ball away.
Break from Big Ten Play
The Buckeyes won’t play another Big Ten opponent until New Year’s Eve. December 31, Ohio State travels to the no. 13 ranked Michigan Wolverines.
Until then, the Buckeyes welcome non-conference Alabama State on Wednesday. Then Ohio State travels west for two big games. December 19, the Buckeyes face UCLA. Just two days later, its San Diego State.
Both West Coast sides are unranked, but give Ohio State a pair of long-distance away tests.
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