Ohio State women’s basketball was down by just 3 points at the end of the first quarter against UConn, but a second-quarter collapse led to the Buckeyes falling 100-68 to the nation’s top-ranked team on Nov. 16.
The Buckeyes knew that facing the reigning NCAA champion would be a challenge, especially given that OSU’s roster features just five returning players and five freshmen. Their inability to sustain a solid start highlighted some of the young team’s weaknesses.
Advertisement
“It’ good to have this early,” Ohio State guard Jaloni Cambridge said. “In your first couple of games, it’s a good experience because you get to look back at this in the long run. We still have a long season ahead of us.”
“It’s a good experience because you get to look back at this in the long run,” Ohio State point guard Jaloni Cambridge said of a 100-68 loss at UConn.
Here are three areas of Ohio State’s game that have to be improved following the UConn loss.
Consistent offensive play
After going 10-for-15 from the field in the first quarter, Ohio State recorded just nine shots in the second, while committing nine turnovers.
“We just have to keep fighting,” Cambridge said. “It wasn’t all bad, we just got to take our time and make the shots that we know how to make.”
Advertisement
The Buckeyes’ second-quarter offensive struggles also impacted the defense, as UConn starters Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong heated up, going 6-for-10 from the field for a combined 16 points.
“I thought we did a good job starting the game,” Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. “Taking care of the ball and executing and getting good shots, but as soon as we started turning the ball over, they were converting those into easy baskets, and that really killed us.”
UConn forward Sarah Strong grabs a rebound in a 100-68 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Nov. 16.
Half-court defense
After the Buckeyes’ 88-59 season-opening victory over Coppin State, McGuff said he wanted to see the team’s half-court defense improve.
Advertisement
Against UConn, however, Ohio State continued to struggle in that area, failing to contest the final pass both around the perimeter and down low on the block. The Huskies finished with 30 assists and 12 3-point baskets.
“We’ve got to get closer to 40 minutes of playing the way we want to play,” McGuff said. “That includes defense.”
Post performance
While three of UConn’s frontcourt players accounted for 59 points, the Buckeyes’ starting forwards Elsa Lemmila (2) and Kylee Kitts (9) scored a combined 11 points.
Lemmila is still working her way back after undergoing two surgeries for a foot injury and a torn meniscus she suffered at the end of her freshman season.
Ohio State center Elsa Lemmilä scored just 2 points against UConn at Peoples Bank Arena.
Because of that, Kitts is being counted on to carry the load, despite being just a freshman.
Advertisement
“(Lemmila is) still a ways from being who she’s capable of being,” McGuff said. “And Kylee’s playing her third game. … I think she’s going to get better at a rapid pace the more experience she gets.”
Ohio State returns to action at Value City Arena on Nov. 19 against Kent State. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Kent State
When: 6:30 p.m., Nov. 19Watch: BTN+Radio: 1460 AM
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 3 areas Ohio State women’s basketball have to improve from UConn loss
