Ohio State women’s basketball did not have any troubles securing its fourth win in as many games, with the Buckeyes (4-0) taking down Miami (Ohio) 104-65 to continue their undefeated start to the season.
It was another big day for junior forward Dorka Juhasz, who led all scorers with 27 points while shooting 11 of 16 from the field. Juhasz also notched her third double by adding 15 rebounds on the day.
“I was more aggressive on the boards, I think those gave me opportunities to score,” Juhasz said. “We did a great job sharing the ball and my teammates were finding me in the post, and on the perimeter, too, so I think it’s just like a collective success.”
Head coach Kevin McGuff was also impressed with Juhasz’s performance, and said that he liked how much she diversified her scoring attack against the RedHawks.
“She showed her versatility today,” McGuff said. “She scored around the basket, she scored from the three-point line, she drove it, and so she’s a really unique player and you could really see that out there today.”
Sophomore guard Jacy Sheldon was also a factor once again for the Buckeyes, finishing with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Ohio State ended the game shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three. Miami shot the ball fairly well, though, hitting on 40.3 percent overall and 31.0 percent from deep.
A lot of the difference in the game came on the turnover battle. Ohio State forced 23 turnovers will committing just nine, and outscored Miami 33-11 off said turnovers.
“I thought the press was effective today, and so that forced Miami to a lot of turnovers,” McGuff said. “And the other thing, we were able to convert those turnovers into points, which was great to see.”
After missing the game against Kent State due to an illness, senior guard Braxin Miller returned to starting lineup against the RedHawks, though she started quiet with no points in the first half, missing both attempts. Miller ended the game strong though, finishing with 13 points in 28 total minutes.
“I really wasn’t feeling bad in the first, we were doing really well and I didn’t really have as many opportunities, I only shot twice I think,” Miller said. “I never felt bad, I just had more opportunities in the second, and I think they just went well.”
While Ohio State returned Miller to the lineup, it was without graduate transfer forward Tanaya Beacham, who was not seen on the bench and did not play.
McGuff did not disclose the reason for Beacham’s absence, simply saying after the game that she is “out right now” and that the team will “get a little more of a status update in the next day or two.”
On the opposition, sophomore guard Peyton Scott shook off an 0-of-6 shooting start to finish with 22 points, though she did turnover the ball seven times. Freshman guard Katie Davidson also added 18 for the RedHawks in the losing effort.
The Buckeyes led 24-9 after one and 49-26 at halftime, shooting 60.6 percent from the field while forcing 14 Miami turnovers. Juhasz (15) and Sheldon (13) combined for 28 of the team’s points in the first 20 minutes.
The strong start was met with a back-and-forth third quarter, which Ohio State led 80-53 at the end of despite 9-1 and 7-2 runs by the RedHawks in the frame. The Buckeyes held on from there, outscoring Miami 24-12 in the fourth quarter of a lopsided win.
Next up, Ohio State is scheduled to play at 4 p.m. Tuesday, but does not yet have an opponent listed. The previous opponent was Saint Mary’s, who reside in California and were slated to travel to Columbus for the matchup.
After the game against an undetermined foe, the Buckeyes will open up Big Ten play at home against Iowa on Dec. 19. Juhasz said performances like these are what Ohio State will need once the team faces off against conference opponents.
“I think we played we better than the last game and the game before, so that just shows how much we’re growing after each game and just practicing hard and trying to build on our defense,” Juhasz said. “It’s a great feeling, it’s almost Big Ten time, so we’re really excited to play and this game just gave us more confidence going into that.”
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