Ohio State women’s basketball holds on to defeat Indiana at home, 78-70

Jacqueline Hobson
Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:34:13 +0000
Basketball, Photos, Sports, Alexis Hart, Ameryst Alston, Buckeyes, Cait Craft, Kelsey Mitchell, ohio state basketball

OSU graduate-senior Amy Scullion (25) rushes against an Indiana defender for the ball during a game on Feb. 8 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 78-70. Credit: Mark Batke / Photo editor

OSU junior guard Cait Craft (13) dribbles by an Indiana defender during a game on Feb. 8 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 78-70. Credit: Mark Batke / Photo editor

OSU freshman guard Kelsey Mitchell (3) dribbles downcourt during a game against Indiana on Feb. 8 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 78-70. Credit: Mark Batke / Photo editor

OSU junior guard Cait Craft (13) dribbles along the 3-point line during a game against Indiana on Feb. 8 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 78-70. Credit: Mark Batke / Photo editor

OSU freshman forward Alexa Hart (22) reacts to a play during a game against Indiana on Feb. 8 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 78-70. Credit: Mark Batke / Photo editor

OSU freshman guard Asia Doss (20) passes the ball during a game against Indiana on Feb. 8 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 78-70. Credit: Mark Batke / Photo editor

OSU junior guard Cait Craft (13) attempts a shot during a game against Indiana on Feb. 8 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 78-70. Credit: Mark Batke / Photo editor

OSU junior guard Cait Craft (13) attempts a shot during a game against Indiana on Feb. 8 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 78-70. Credit: Mark Batke / Photo editor

OSU freshman guard Kelsey Mitchell (3) dribbles the ball during a game against Indiana on Feb. 8 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 78-70. Credit: Mark Batke / Photo editor

The Ohio State women’s basketball team finished out strong and hold off a persistent Indiana team, 78-70, that just would not go away.

After the Buckeyes (16-8, 8-4) enjoyed best performances of the year with a 103-49 victory against the Hoosiers in Bloomington on Jan. 8, it was a completely different game this time around. Indiana (13-10, 3-9) stepped up on defense to hold the Buckeyes below the triple-digit mark, that they had achieved for the first time in a Big Ten game since 1996.

Behind 24-point outings from both freshman guard Kelsey Mitchell and junior guard Ameryst Alston, OSU stayed strong down the stretch in front of a “pink out” crowd at the Schottenstein Center.

It was neck-and-neck at half-time, as the Buckeyes led 35-34 before stretching its advantage out to 11 points with 14:27 remaining in the game.

Indiana, however, was not willing to go down easy. ?A 3-pointer by Alston stopped an 8-2 run by the Hoosiers and maintained an eight-point lead with 8:57 on the clock.

OSU knocked down its free throws in the closing minutes of the game to keep Indiana from stealing the win and handing OSU what would have been its second-straight loss.

The Buckeye’s had four players reach double-digits in the scoring column with Alexis Hart and Cait Craft joining Mitchell and Alston with 18 and 10 points, respectively.

The win puts the scarlet and gray back on track after snapping their four-game win streak at Iowa on Thursday.

OSU is set for a quick turnaround when they are back in action to seek revenge against Michigan, at home Tuesday at 7 p.m.