Mcmahon, Mikesell power Ohio State to rout of Minnesota
The hits keep coming for the Ohio State women's basketball team, but Wednesday night the Buckeyes were undeterred.
Playing without Jacy Sheldon and losing 6-foot-4 forward Rebeka Mikulasikova to an injury early did not stop Ohio State from routing Minnesota 9363 at Value City Arena.
On paper, this wouldn't look like an unexpected outcome. The Golden Gophers (9-15, 2-11 Big Ten) have lost five straight.
But the Buckeyes needed a fourthquarter comeback to beat Minnesota 83-71 in Minneapolis on Jan. 5 for the 16th of their 19 straight victories to open their season. Since that start, Ohio State (21-4, 10-4) had lost four of five games to fall from No. 2 to No. 13 in the Associated Press rankings.
The Buckeyes looked like their old selves against the Gophers even without Sheldon and the loss of Mikulasikova.
"I just thought our effort, our energy and our enthusiasm was much better tonight and more like what it's been when we've been at our best this year," Ohio State coach Kevin Mcguff said.
Sheldon returned from a lower-leg injury in Sunday's loss to Maryland but was held out of Wednesday's game.
"Nothing has changed," Mcguff said of Sheldon's recovery. "She still feels fine there, but just in terms of just getting her whole body back and going, we're still sort of in management mode. We did have her practice a little bit.
We're still sort of just picking and choosing, making decisions how much to bring back right now."
Mikulasikova was injured when bumped hard under the basket a little more than four minutes into the game. She could not put weight on her left leg as she was helped off the court.
Mcguff said it was likely a high ankle sprain.
Their absence did not slow the Buckeyes. Minnesota had no answer for the inside-outside combo of Cotie Mcmahon and Taylor Mikesell.
Mcmahon used her strength and quickness to drive for baskets or fouls on her way to 25 points.
Mcguff called Mcmahon "One Speed Cotie" for her aggressiveness.
"It is what it is," Mcmahon said with a laugh. "That's how I am."
Mikesell, who'd been in a shooting slump, was 6 for 6 on 3-pointers and finished with 24 points.
OHIO STATE 93, MINNESOTA 63
MINNESOTA - Heyer 4-9 0-0 8, Micheaux 3-8 2-2 8, Battle 4-8 0-0 8, Braun 7-18 2-2 19, Czinano 0-2 4-4 4, Gradwell 2-2 0-0 5, Oberg 0-1 0-0 0, Borowicz 1-2 2-2 4, Cayton 0-5 2-2 2, Hammond 2-2 1-2 5. Totals: 23-57 13-14 63.
OHIO STATE - Mcmahon 8-13 9-9 25, Mikulasikova 0-1 0-0 0, Harris 3-4 0-0 7, Mikesell 9-15 0-0 24, Thierry 7-11 1-2 15, Walker 4-7 4-6 12, Bristow 4-7 1-1 10, Henderson 0-1 0-0 0, Perry 0-1 0-0 0, Shumate 0-3 0-0 0, Costner 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 35-64 15-18 93. Minnesota 10 23 14 16 - 63
Ohio State 23 29 28 13 - 93
3-point goals: Braun 3, Gradwell; Mikesell 6, Harris, Bristow.
Rebounds: Minnesota 36 (Heyer 8), Ohio St. 29 (Thierry 8). Assists: Minnesota 11 (Battle 5), Ohio St. 23 (Walker 6). Fouled out: Micheaux. Total fouls: Minnesota 16, Ohio St. 14. A: 4,357.