Ohio State (8-2, 1-1 B1G) rebounded from its loss to Indiana to dominate Alabama State, 97-51, on Wednesday.
The Buckeyes saw their biggest contribution from senior guard Taylor Mikesell, who led the team with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including 7 of 16 from beyond the arc.
The Buckeyes started the game off on a 9-0 run that lasted for over five minutes as the Hornets were 0 for 4 from the field with five turnovers during the stretch.
Alabama State battled back to make it 14-7 with 3:28 to go in the first, but the Buckeyes closed out the first frame on a 13-6 run, boosted by five points from sophomore guard Kateri Poole, to lead 27-13 at the end of the first.
Ohio State started the second quarter off slow with just six points in the first five minutes, but exploded for 24 points in the final five minutes.
The sudden scoring output was spurred on with a three-point shooting clinic, as the Buckeyes finished 4 of 9 from beyond the arc in the second quarter, with deep shots coming from Mikesell, Harris and junior forward Jacy Sheldon.
While the Hornets found more scoring opportunities, Ohio State still limited Alabama State’s effectiveness on offense, forcing eight turnovers in the second frame, as the Buckeyes led 56-30 at the half. In total, the Hornets finished with 29 turnovers.
Coming out of the break, the Buckeyes held Alabama State scoreless for nearly three minutes to begin the third quarter while extending their lead to 66-30.
The Hornets got some offense going with a 7-1 run while forcing four turnovers by Ohio State, but the Buckeyes still finished the third frame with a 77-39 lead.
Ohio State kept things rolling in the fourth, using five points from sophomore forward Gabby Hutcherson and junior guard Hevynne Bristow to power its way to a 97-51 win. In total, 11 different Buckeyes got into the contest in preparation for Ohio State’s upcoming three-game road trip.
Mikesell was Ohio State’s leader in scoring, just one point shy of tying her career high, while junior forward Rebeka Mikulasikova led with 11 rebounds, and Poole and senior guard Braxtin Miller each added a team-high four assists. Brazyll Watkins led the Hornets with 11 points.
The Buckeyes shot 46.7 percent from the floor and were 13 of 36 from three-point range, while Alabama State was held to just 31.5 percent from the field.
Ohio State will take the court next on the road against UCLA on Sunday at 8 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.
