Big 4th quarter lifts No. 3 Ohio State women past Minnesota

Updated Jan. 5, 2023 9:58 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Taylor Mikesell scored 22 points and Rikki Harris added 19 as No. 3 Ohio State rallied to beat Minnesota 83-71 on Thursday night.

Rebeka Mikulasikova contributed 15 points on five 3-pointers for the Buckeyes (16-0, 5-0 Big Ten), who outscored Minnesota 28-10 in the fourth quarter.

Mallory Heyer led Minnesota (8-7, 1-3) with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Amaya Battle and Alanna Micheaux each scored 14.

The Buckeyes aren’t used to playing from behind, having trailed at the half only three times in their first 15 games. But Minnesota’s young team — its starting lineup featured three true freshmen, a redshirt freshman and a sophomore — made Ohio State work.

Ohio State trailed by as many as 10 in the third quarter before a jumper by Eboni Walker sparked an 8-0 run that cut Minnesota’s lead to 56-54.

Heyer restored order for Minnesota, grabbing two big defensive boards and hitting a 3 that gave the Gophers a 61-55 lead after three quarters.

But after making just 5 of 20 shots in the third quarter, Ohio State caught fire in the fourth. The Buckeyes went 4-for-5 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the line during a 14-0 run over the first three minutes of the period.

A five-point possession was key to the game-changing run. Cotie McMahon was fouled while shooting, and Minnesota’s Mi’Cole Cayton was given a technical for disputing the call.

McMahon hit one of her two free throws before Mikesell made both shots from the technical. Harris then made a jumper to give the Buckeyes a 64-61 lead.

Ohio State ended up making 9 of 13 shots while holding Minnesota to 3 of 15 from the floor in the fourth quarter.

BIG PICTURE

Ohio State: The Buckeyes’ 16th straight victory gives them the best start in program history, topping the record from 2011-12.

Minnesota: Coach Lindsay Whalen’s Gophers missed a chance at a signature win but their young lineup showed big potential.

UP NEXT

Ohio State: Hosts Illinois on Sunday.

Minnesota: Visits Wisconsin on Sunday.

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AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25