Ohio State forward Stephanie Mavunga (1) defends against Minnesota center Bryanna Fernstrom during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. Ohio State won 90-88. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Kelsey Mitchell scored 30 points, Stephanie Mavunga had 26 points, a Big Ten Conference Tournament record 21 rebounds and seven blocks, and No. 13 Ohio State used a late run to edge fourth-seeded Minnesota 90-88 in a semifinal game on Saturday.
The top-seeded Buckeyes didn't secure a spot in the championship game until Carlie Wagner's 12-foot jumper from the right of the lane bounced off the rim as time expired. Ohio State (26-6) faces second-seeded Maryland, which beat the Buckeyes 99-69 in the only other meeting between the teams this season, for the title Sunday night.
A basket by Kenisha Bell gave the Golden Gophers (23-8) an 85-79 lead with 4:40 to play. Linnae Harper quickly answered with a jumper for the Buckeyes. Mitchell followed with a 3-point play to make it a one-point game and Ohio State took the lead on the 16th lead change with a basket by Alexa Hart at 2:40. Eventually a Hart free throw made it 90-85 with 14.1 seconds left.
Mavunga was dominant down the stretch. The Gophers missed seven straight shots and OSU had six blocks, four by Mavunga, in the last three minutes. She had back-to-back offensive rebounds to give OSU a 1ˆ½-minute possession into the final minute.
Gadiva Hubbard hit a 3-pointer with five seconds left, but after Ohio State's Makayla Waterman missed two free throws, Wagner couldn't tie it.
Bell finished with 27 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Wagner had 26 points and Hubbard scored 20.
Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell (3) shoots after getting past Minnesota guard Kenisha Bell during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. Ohio State won 90-88. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press
Ohio State forward Stephanie Mavunga shoots sd Minnesota forward Taiye Bello (5) and huard Carlie Wagner (33) defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. Ohio State won 90-88. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press
Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell, right, drives around Minnesota guard Carlie Wagner during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. Ohio State won 90-88. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press
Ohio State forward Stephanie Mavunga (1) and guard Kelsey Mitchell (3) leave the court after an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. Ohio State won 90-88. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press
Minnesota guard Gadiva Hubbard dribbles between Ohio State guards Jensen Caretti (33) and Sierra Calhoun during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press
Minnesota guard Kenisha Bell (23) rebounds the basketball in front of Ohio State forward Stephanie Mavunga during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press
Minnesota guard Gadiva Hubbard (34) shoots as Ohio State guard Jensen Caretti defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press
Minnesota guard Carlie Wagner (33) drives against Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big Ten women's tournament Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press
Minnesota guard Kenisha Bell (23) shoots over Ohio State guard Jensen Caretti, right, and Ohio State forward Stephanie Mavunga, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in semifinals of the Big 10 conference tournament, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)
The Associated Press