MSU women keep it close, come up short against undefeated Ohio State

Michigan State women’s basketball couldn’t quite get over the hump on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, eventually falling to No. 3 Ohio State, 74-68.

The Spartans (6-5, 1-1 Big Ten) trimmed the deficit to one with 1:44 to play on a Matilda Ekh 3-pointer, and DeeDee Hagemann came up with a steal 12 seconds later. But MSU came up empty with a chance to take the lead on their next two possessions.

But the door remained open for the Spartans after Madison Greene split a pair of free throws with 33 second left, giving the Buckeyes a 6866 lead. After an MSU timeout, Hagemann missed a layup, got her own rebound, but her putback was blocked by Taylor Thierry.

Moira Joiner led MSU with 16 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Gabby Elliott added 11 points and nine rebounds. MSU shot 41% from the field but made just 7 of 12 free throws (58%).

Thierry had 21 points and nine rebounds while playing all 40 minutes for Ohio State (10-0, 2-0). Greene had 15 points (11-for-13 free throws) while also playing the entire game. As a team, the Buckeyes were 18-for-25 from the free-throw line.

Horizon women

Georgia Southern 82, Detroit Mercy 79 (OT): The host Titans (2-7) erased a 10-point deficit about halfway through the fourth quarter to force overtime, but never held the lead in the extra period. Ana Cabañas Llorens led

UDM with 18 points, making 3 of 5 3-pointers. Irene Murua added 15 points and eight rebounds. Terren Ward led Georgia Southern with 16 points.

MAC men

Niagara 67, Eastern Michigan 60: Noah Thomasson had 20 points for host Niagara (5-4), who shot 50% from the field. Noah Farrakhan led the Eagles (2-9) with 21 points and four assists. Emoni Bates added 13 points as EMU had only eight assists on its 24 made field goals.