_Women’s Basketball: No. 12 Ohio State falls on a last-second shot in overtime, drops regular season finale to No. 19 Maryland 93-90_
In a thrilling regular season finale, the No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball team fell to No. 19 Maryland 93-90 in overtime on Sunday. The game was decided by a last-second shot by Maryland’s Diamond Miller, who hit a three-pointer with 0.4 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Terrapins.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. Ohio State’s Jacy Sheldon led all scorers with 29 points, while Maryland’s Miller added 28 points, including the game-winner.
The Buckeyes came out strong in the first quarter, building a 24-18 lead behind 10 points from Sheldon. However, Maryland fought back in the second quarter, outscoring Ohio State 25-18 to take a 43-42 lead at halftime.
The second half was just as intense, with both teams making big plays and neither able to pull away. Ohio State’s Rebeka Mikulasikova hit a three-pointer with 1:15 remaining to tie the game at 80-80, and the game went into overtime.
In the extra period, Maryland’s Miller took over, scoring 7 points, including the game-winning three-pointer. Ohio State’s Sheldon had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but her three-point attempt was off the mark.
Despite the loss, Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff was proud of his team’s effort. “I thought our kids played really hard and competed really well,” McGuff said. “We just didn’t make enough plays down the stretch to win the game.”
The loss drops Ohio State to 23-6 overall and 14-4 in the Big Ten. Maryland improves to 21-7 overall and 11-7 in the Big Ten.
Ohio State will now turn its attention to the Big Ten Tournament, which begins on Wednesday. The Buckeyes will be the No. 2 seed in the tournament and will face the winner of the Michigan-Northwestern game in the quarterfinals.
Despite the loss, Ohio State is still in a good position to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes have been ranked in the top 15 of the AP poll all season and have a strong resume, with wins over top-25 teams like Maryland, Michigan, and Indiana.
“We’re still in a good spot,” McGuff said. “We’ve got a lot to play for in the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. We’re going to regroup and get ready to go.”
The Buckeyes will be looking to bounce back from the tough loss and make a strong run in the postseason. With their talent and experience, they have the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
As for Maryland, the win was a big one for the Terrapins, who are looking to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The win over Ohio State was their third straight and improved their record to 21-7 overall.
Miller’s game-winning shot was a highlight-reel play that will be remembered for a long time. The sophomore guard has been a key player for Maryland all season and has a knack for making big plays.
“Diamond is a special player,” Maryland head coach Brenda Frese said. “She’s got a lot of confidence and she’s not afraid to take big shots. She’s a winner and she’s got a lot of heart.”
The win over Ohio State was a big one for Maryland, and the Terrapins will be looking to carry the momentum into the Big Ten Tournament.
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