Alyssa Thomas had 25 points and 12 rebounds, and No. 8 Maryland overcame a shaky first half to hold off Ohio State 67-55 Wednesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The Terrapins (8-1) led by only three points at the break before returning to make their first four shots as part of an 11-2 run that made it 40-28. Thomas scored six points in the spree and Brene Moseley sank Maryland’s first 3-pointer of the game.
Ohio State (6-4) closed to 56-53 with 2:58 left, but a 3-pointer by Lexie Brown, a layup by Moseley and two free throws by Thomas ended the suspense.
Ameryst Alston scored 18, and Cait Craft and Matina Ellerbe had 11 apiece for the Buckeyes, who were coming off a 21-point loss to top-ranked Connecticut.
“Maryland is a terrific team. They’re talented and well coached and they play hard,” Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. “The difference was they got too many points in transition and too many points on offensive rebounds. We have to get better in those areas to have a chance to win a game like this on the road.”
The Buckeyes never led, but they certainly made it interesting. After Maryland opened up a 12-point lead with 8:29 remaining, Alston made two foul shots and a 3-pointer to spark an 11-2 run that got Ohio State in position to pull off an upset.
The Buckeyes used their defense to stay in the game. Three nights ago they held No. 1 UConn to its lowest point total of the season and did the same thing tonight to the eighth-ranked Terrapins.
Ohio State is back in action at Noon ET Sunday when they welcome No. 24 Gonzaga. The game will be televised on BTN.
About Marion Online Sports
