Maryland vs No. 18 Ohio State | Big Ten | 1.17.24

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland - linktr.ee/womensbasketballall...
Written by Thomas Costello | LandGrantHolyLand.com
With one the biggest game of the season for the Ohio State women's basketball team just days away, it seemed like the Buckeyes' matchup against Maryland on Wednesday could be a trap game.
Coming off a close battle with Michigan State and preparing for Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, Ohio State was handed a tough matchup against the unranked Terrapins. Behind the performances of Taylor Thierry, Rebeka Mikulasikova and Cotie McMahon, the Buckeyes finished the road game unscathed, winning 84-76.
Mikulasikova led the scoring for the Buckeyes with 20 points, while Thierry contributed 17 points and McMahon 14.
Starting the game failing to finish on three different opportunities in the opening possession, the Buckeyes came out of the gate against the Terrapins with the same struggle they had early in the Michigan State game. Ohio State was unable to find the hot shooting hand, going 0 for 5 on field goal attempts as Maryland went on a seven-point run to take a 7-3 lead halfway through the first quarter.
"We didn't have our best shooting night," Buckeyes' coach Kevin McGuff said. "When you're not shooting the ball real well, then the way to kind of overcome that is to get second chance opportunities."
Despite some rough stretches, the Buckeyes were down 17-16 by the end of the first. The deficit would have been worse without the late effort from Celeste Taylor, whose defense in the final minute and a half led to all 5 of her points in the quarter. Taylor ended the game with 11 points and eight of Ohio State's 42 rebounds.
The Buckeyes, who are tied for first in the Big Ten in average turnover margin, were matched evenly with Maryland when it came to ball control. Both committed 11 turnovers in the first half, but the Buckeyes were able to score 13 points off turnovers compared the Terrapins' 11.
In the second quarter, the Buckeyes started relying heavily on Thierry, McMahon and Mikulasikova to find opportunities in the paint. The three accounted for 13 of the team's 21 second-quarter points, which was needed on a night when Ohio State went 2 for 16 from behind the 3-point line in the first half.
"We're a team that's capable of scoring really anywhere on the floor," McMahon said. "Us being off on the 3-point line, it didn't really hurt us, it just made us kind of step up in certain areas."
Maryland's foul trouble started to hurt its chances, as the Terps committed six fouls and gave Ohio State eight trips to the free throw line, in which they cashed in for seven points.
Even with those extra points for OSU and the Terrapins' leading scorer, point guard Shyann Seller, being shut down in the first half, the Buckeyes were still down 39-37 at halftime.
The Ohio State forwards who were the difference makers for the team in the first half came out of halftime with that same energy.
But just as the Buckeyes' key players were keeping them alive in the matchup, Maryland's Jakia Brown-Turner, Lavender Briggs and Bri McDaniel were leading the Terps' charge. All three had reached double-digit scoring for the Terrapins midway through the third quarter.
Thierry and Mikulasikova took over the game in what became a back-and-forth third quarter, scoring all of the Buckeyes' field goals and propelling OSU to a 56-55 lead.
The 6-foot-4 Mikulasikova proved to be the only Buckeye who would have consistent success from 3-point territory, going 2 for 3 from beyond the arc in the third quarter.
"I think even last game against Michigan State and this game, I tried to just play more inside," Mikulasikova said. "That helps me to gain confidence to step outside and hit the 3s."
www.landgrantholyland.com/202...

[@user-oh8mw2hb3d]

Hi, is it possible to see the whole game? maryland vs michigan basketball women's 24 jan 2024

[@oldmanconklin]

Nice comeback by OS for the win. That big Slovak girl is no joke! 💯 🇸🇰 🏀

[@wbbfan7821]

Several players that transferred from Maryland have hinted at a toxic, malignant culture under Brenda. Idk if it’s Brenda herself or the system she is in charge of but I hope they figure it out and can retain players

[@kaym8731]

👀👀👀

[@marcusward23]

I think it has a lot to do with the transfer portal and the way players think today. Brenda Freese program is not the only one that has lost star players. Her program has put a lot of players in the wnba. Think about the player who stayed Diamond Miller is more a the complete player than ashley and angel. Some young people are just spoiled and entitled.

[@wbbfan7821]

@@marcusward23 as are some adults. Also consider Shakira Austin who was on team USA who spoke out about the program. No reason to be dismissive of these women

[@marcusward23]

@wbbfan7821 not trying to be dismissive, I'm just weighing it against all the successful players Brenda Freeze has had at maryland vs the players who have transfered. She is not the only coach that has had massive transfers from her program it's happened to a lot of legendary coaches. I just think it's unfair to assume her program is toxic based off what a few players do or say.

[@leanwitrockwit2087]

brenda needs to recruit HEIGHT!

[@anthonytaylor7928]

At one time she had Ashley owasu. Angel Reese. Diamond miller . Shakira Austin all on the same team . And ran them away only miller stayed . Probably could have won a ship with that team. It's something she ain't doing right when she gets the talent

[@wbbfan7821]

@@anthonytaylor7928I need a 30 for 30 on what is happening at Maryland

[@gabestackson4476]

@@anthonytaylor7928what ever happened to Ashley Owasu?