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ATHENS, Ohio -The Ohio women's basketball team (0-2) is back in action for two more contests this week; starting with tomorrow's (Thursday, Nov. 17) matchup, facing the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Bobcats will host 14th ranked Ohio State (2-0). The Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center and can be viewed on ESPN+.
The last time the Bobcats hosted a ranked opponent in the Convocation Center was on Nov. 25, 2017 when they hosted then-No. 25 Michigan. The last time Ohio defeated a ranked opponent was on Nov. 27, 2020 when they defeated then ranked No 22-Notre Dame.
LAST TIME MEETING
The NCAA matchup between the Ohio University Bobcats and the Ohio State Buckeyes will be the twenty third time in history these two teams are to meet. The teams have met just seven times since 1984 and their most recent contest was in 2019 In November of 2019, the Bobcats defeated the Buckeyes 74-68 in an intense matchup. In their last meeting, Ohio was 23-of-60 (38.3 percent) from the field and 8-of-24 (33.3 percent) from behind the three point line. While Ohio State was recorded to be 25-of-69 (36.2 percent) from the field and 4-of-21 (19.0 percent) from behind the arc. However, Ohio was out-rebounded by Ohio state, 50-41, with 12 offensive rebounds and 29 defensive rebounds. The Buckeyes had a more even split in rebounds with 21 offensive, and 29 defensive. The Buckeyes also led in blocks and steals; with 6 total blocks and 9 steals compared to Ohio's 1 block and 5 steals. Ultimately, it was the Ohio Bobcats who closed out the contest outscoring the Bucks 14-19 (Q1), 16-13 (Q2), 23-15 (Q3), and 21-21 (Q4).
SCOUTING THE BUCKEYES
The Ohio State Buckeyes started the 2022- 23 season with back to back wins against Tennessee (87-75) and Boston College (82- 64). In Ohio State's home opener against 5th ranked Tennessee, all five OSU starters scored in double figures: Taylor Mikesell (25), Rebeka Mikulasikova (17), Jacy Sheldon (14), Cotie McMahon (10) and Taylor Thierry (10). The Buckeyes finished with 19 assists and 15 turnovers, compared to Tennessee's 10 assists and 29 turnovers. The Buckeyes also recorded 16 steals and 37 points from turnovers.
The Buckeyes also defeated the 35th ranked team, Boston College on the road in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The leading players for The Ohio State Buckeyes were Senior Rebeka Mikulasikova, who scored a career-high of 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds; Jacy Sheldon who had 11 of the Buckeyes 20 steals and 14 points. Taylor Mikesell also had a large impact on the offense, recording 16 points and going 4-4 on free throws.
OHIO'S MOST RECENT MATCHUP
The last Ohio game was on the road against the Longwood Lancers where the Bobcats lost in a tight matchup. Jasmine Hale and Yaya Felder led the Bobcats with 12 points each reaching double- figures on offense, whereas Caitlyn Kroll led the defense with 6 total rebounds; 5 defensive, 1 offensive.
In the first quarter, the Bobctas put up seventeen points. They were 7-14 (50%) in FG's in the first 10 minutes, 1-5 (20%) in 3PT's, and 2-2 (100%) in FT's. The second quarter stats for Ohio were recorded as 3-16 (18.75%) FG's, 0-6 (0%) 3PT's, and 5-7 (71.43%) for free throws.
Ohio took the lead at the end of the 3rd but within the first 90 seconds of the 4th quarter, the Lancers got the game back to equal. Ohio and Longwood stayed within 3 points of each other, and within 1 point for the last two minutes of the game. Ohio led 65-64 until Lancer's Janay Turner scored a jumper with 6 seconds left on the clock to take the victory 66-65. Ohio finished with no technicals, 38 points in the paint, 17 bench points, 15 points off turn-overs, 7 fast break points, and 6 second chance points.
MATCHUP NOTES
- This will be Ohio's second home game of the 2022-23 season and OSU's second away game of the season
- OSU opened the season last Tuesday at home with an 87-75 win against Tennessee
- The Buckeyes had 20 steals against Boston College on Sunday, which is the most by the Buckeyes since Dec. 16, 2016.
- Ohio began the season with two close games that resulted in losses falling to LIU 74-67 and 66-65 to Longwood
- Caitlyn Kroll leads the Bobcats offensively with 23 points
- Ella Pope leads the Bobcats with 13 rebounds
- Taylor Mikesell leads the Buckeyes with 41 points this 2022-23 season, followed by Rebeka Mikulasikova with 40
- The OSU Buckeyes lead the all-time series 21-1 against the Ohio Bobcats
- The Buckeyes and Bobcats have played 5 games at the Convo and Thursday will be mark their sixth Athens contest
UP NEXT
The Bobcats will get on the road to Indianapolis, Ind. and play IUPUI on Sunday, Nov. 20. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. and can be streamed here.
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