No. 18 Ohio State women win, join logjam atop Big Ten
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Jacy Sheldon scored 22 points and the No. 18 Ohio State women moved into a first-place tie in the Big Ten, rolling past Illinois 83-67 on Monday night.
The Buckeyes led 42-30 at halftime then scored the first 21 points of the third quarter. Ohio State shot 72% from the field in the third and outscored the Illini 33-13.
Illinois cut 13 points off its deficit in the fourth quarter, outscoring Ohio State 24-11. After making 13 of 18 shots in the third, Ohio State finished 4 of 15 in the fourth.
Ohio State's win, coupled with Indiana's 72-55 loss at Nebraska and Maryland's 81-69 win over Iowa, essentially created a four-way tie for first place in the conference. Ohio State, No. 13 Maryland and No. 9 Michigan are 11-3. No. 5 Indiana is percentage points ahead at 10-2.
Rikki Harris scored 17 points, Rebeka Mikulasikova 14, and Taylor Mikesell 13 for the Buckeyes (19-4 overall). Sheldon had seven assists and four steals.
Aaliyah Nye had 25 points, including five 3-pointers, for Illinois (6-15, 1-9 Big Ten). Kendall Bostic had 12 points and 16 rebounds, and Adalia McKenzie scored 11 points.
Ohio State forced 24 turnovers and committed 17. The Buckeyes led 31-15 in points after turnovers and 25-6 in fast-break points.
Ohio State plays at Maryland on Thursday.
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