Going a perfect 14-0 seems to be becoming a theme at Ohio State.
The Ohio State women’s basketball team (19-8, 10-6) went a perfect 14-0 at home this season, knocking off Michigan (12-14, 3-12) 70-55 last night at St. John Arena.
“We have a lot of pride on our home court, and that showed this season,” said forward D’wan Shackleford.
After falling behind 4-0, OSU would go on a 10-0 run to take the lead. That run included a record-breaking three-pointer from guard Caity Matter. Matter broke the school record of 86 threes in a season when she hit her trey in the first half. She finished the night with four treys and led the Buckeyes in scoring with 16 points.
“We knew we had the opportunities to win at home this season,” Matter said.
The game would stay close as Michigan took a 25-23 lead with seven minutes left in the opening half.
OSU would take over from there.
The Buckeyes open up a 35-25 lead, going on a 12-0 run. Right before the end of the half, forward Didi Reynolds would bury a three to send the Buckeyes to the locker room with a 42-29 lead. Reynolds buried three treys on the night and finished with 13 points.
OSU coach Jim Foster said Reynolds had her best game of the year, and she was quick to agree.
“I would say it was my best game of the season,” Reynolds said. “I have been working on my three-point shot in practice, and tonight it paid off.”
The Wolverines would never come close to catching up in the second half as the Buckeyes extended their lead to as much as 18 points.
Foster said his team’s offense came a long way since the beginning of the season.
“We are a much better half-court team now than we were,” Foster said. “Now is the time you want to be playing your best. They are a very coachable group of players, and they can still get better,” Foster said.
The Buckeyes overall record and Big Ten record is their best since the 1992-93 season. At halftime, that team was honored and introduced to the crowd to a roaring ovation.
Before the game, seniors Reynolds, Shackleford and Coleman were introduced with their families to the crowd one last time.
OSU will compete at the Big Ten Tournament next weekend at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.