The Ohio State bench celebrates Janai Crooms’ and-one basket in the second half of the game against Rutgers on March 3. Ohio State lost 66-56. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Managing Editor for Multimedia
The Buckeyes bounced back after their home-opening loss to beat Kent State 75-65 Thursday.
It took Ohio State (3-1) until Jan. 17 to win its first game on the road this past year, but its win over Kent State (3-2) is already its third road win of the early season.
It started out with a quick lead in the first quarter with Ohio State up 19-9, and the Buckeyes extended the lead to 17 at the half.
Kent State outscored Ohio State 25-12 in the fourth quarter, but ultimately could not complete the comeback.
The late Golden Flash rally was spurred on by sophomore forward Lindsay Thall, who outscored the entire Buckeye team 16-10 in the final six minutes of the game. Thall finished with a game-high 32 points on 50 percent shooting. Thall played all but two minutes for Kent State.
Following Thall in was redshirt senior guard Megan Carter, who put up 13 points and three assists on the night.
Two standout Buckeyes in the game were junior guard Braxtin Miller and freshman forward Rebeka Mikilášiková who each had 14 points. Mikilášiková went 7-for-7 from the field.
Ohio State had four players in double-digit scoring, including sophomore guard Janai Crooms and freshman guard Jacy Sheldon, who both finished with 11.
Besides scoring, Crooms had 11 boards, seven assists and two steals in an all-around productive performance.
Coming off a 20-turnover night against Ohio, the Buckeyes struggled to hold onto the ball once again, losing the turnover differential 16-10 against Kent State.
Ohio State returns home Sunday for a 3 p.m. tipoff against an undefeated opponent in No. 4 UConn.
