Ohio State prevents South Dakota State’s bid for tourney upset

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff isn’t anxious about his All-American guard Kelsey Mitchell, who scored just 11 points in the No. 3 seed Buckeyes’ rout of George Washington in an women’s NCAA Tournament opener on Saturday. “I felt it in State College what energy feels like when a crowd gets going”.

Their next opponent, the Ohio State Buckeyes, will be more than ready to play as they were also able to shake off the rust in a close game against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. He said that although he drew the play up, Williams deserves all the credit for not only executing the play, but knocking down the shot (and getting a four-point play as well). He finished off the four-point play for a 74-70 lead and made all three free throws on the second, making it 77-70 with 64 seconds left. With 31 more points this weekend, she will move past Jackie Stiles (3,393) of Missouri State into second and could possibly overtake record-holder Kelsey Plum (3,527) of Washington should Ohio State extend its tournament run. Ohio State has forward Andre Wesson listed as probable for the contest as he deals with a knee injury. “As long as we make the shots tough for him, that’s the plan, to make life hard on him”. Bates-Diop was the Big Ten player of the year and earned some All-American honors after averaging 19.4 points and 8.8 rebounds.

“Anybody on this team can go off”, Frost said. We didn’t come here for a moral victory; we certainly didn’t come here to lose.

The Bulldogs opened as a 2.5-point favorite and are 6-1 SU and 4-1-2 in their last seven as a neutral site favorite of -3 or less.

Gonzaga is 22nd in the nation with 10.9 assists allowed per game while Ohio State is 57th with 11.8 assists allowed per game. After injuring his ankle in the first half, he went absolutely bananas in the second. “A lot of credit to Ohio State; they played differently than they play each game”.

Ohio State: No big surprise here.

After an impressive start in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes have been struggling over the last month.

The Buckeyes, who won the Big Ten regular season and roared through the conference tournament, are playing their best basketball at the right time.

Notes: SDSU had its 11-game winning streak snapped.

The Bulldogs rank 14th in rebounds per game (39.8) while the Buckeyes rank 90th (36.9).

It’s no surprise, any team that has more games under their belt is generally going to improve throughout the season.

South Dakota State had itself in position for the upset, but wrecked its chances with the two late fouls on threes.

By wracking up results, Penn State piled up points and is taking a commanding 120.5 to 109.5 lead going into the finals.

George Washington had no answer for Ohio State’s Stephanie Mavunga in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at St. John Arena.

Daum had 17 points, and Jenkins and Key (3-of-3 on 3s) nine apiece at halftime. They are just 3-3 straight up in their last six and 1-5 against the spread. Reyna Frost (14.1), Cassie Breen (12) and freshman Micaela Kelly (11.4) are all reliable scorers, too. Totals 27-72 15-19 81.

Ohio State wrestler Kyle Snyder reacts after defeating Campbell Fighting Camels grappler Jere Heino during the 2017 NCAA Wrestling Championships at Quicken Loans Arena.