- All five Ohio State starters score double digits in 20-point NCAA Tournament win
- Buckeyes force 26 turnovers and dominate paint scoring 44-14
- Montana State’s school-record 30-win season ends despite 20 points from Morales
Fourth-seeded Ohio State showcased its trademark defensive intensity Friday afternoon, holding Montana State to 35% shooting while converting 26 turnovers into 28 points. The Buckeyes’ 71-51 victory extended their homecourt dominance in NCAA Tournament openers, a trend that’s seen them win eight consecutive first-round games since 2012.
Head coach Kevin McGuff’s technical foul at 5:23 in the second quarter briefly sparked Montana State to a 4-point lead. However, the incident proved pivotal as Ohio State responded with a 32-3 run spanning both halves. Freshman guard Chance Gray electrified the Value City Arena crowd with three consecutive third-quarter three-pointers, part of her 15-point performance that shifted momentum permanently.
The Big Ten program demonstrated why tournament analysts value balanced scoring depth. While Taylor Thierry’s team-high 16 points led the box score, four other Buckeyes scored between 11-15 points. This distribution aligns with recent NCAA championship trends where teams with four+ double-digit scorers win 73% of tournament games according to ESPN analytics.
Regional basketball observers note Ohio State’s 21-2 fast-break advantage reflects their evolving identity under McGuff. The Columbus Dispatch reports the team has increased transition scoring by 18% since December through specialized conditioning drills. This Midwest basketball case study shows how pace manipulation can offset inconsistent perimeter shooting in March.
Montana State’s historic season concludes with their first NCAA appearance since 2021. The Bobcats’ 30 wins set a program record under 20th-year coach Tricia Binford, though their 12-minute scoring drought against Power Five competition exposed depth challenges common among mid-major programs.
Ohio State advances to face either Tennessee or South Florida on Sunday. The Buckeyes’ 44-14 paint scoring advantage suggests they’ll focus on feeding post players like Celeste Taylor (8 rebounds) against taller SEC or AAC opponents. With 14 of their 26 wins coming by 20+ points, OSU remains a dangerous dark horse in the Spokane Regional bracket.