INDIANAPOLIS, IN- Kelsey Mitchell received Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors scoring 25 points and 5 rebounds as the Ohio State Buckeyes win the Big Ten Tournament 79-69 over Maryland Sunday night.
OSU struggled to get things going shooting 4 of 13 from the field and trailing Maryland 22-17 after the first period.
The tempo started to change in the second quarter for the Buckeyes. Going on a 12-0 run in the period and with a 27-9 surge to lead 44 to 31 into the break, led by the senior Linnae Harper who had 10 points, 9 rebounds just in the first two quarters. Harper finished the game with a double-double 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals. OSU also outrebounded Maryland 30 to 19.
Starting the second half the Terps went on a 7-0 run. Following with two huge three pointers from UM senior Kristen Confroy as she finished the game with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Confory also tied the Big Ten Tournament single game record for three pointers with five.
At the 2:26 mark in the 4th quarter the Buckeyes Kelsey Mitchell knocked down a three, then a OSU steal leading to a basket by Linnae Harper which pushed the lead to 10 with less than 2 minutes to play. That was the nail in the coffin for Maryland.
Ohio State senior Stephanie Mavunga posted a double double 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks to help the team get the victory. Mavunga was also named to the 2018 Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Also getting the honors for Big Ten All-Tournament Team was Maryland’s Kaila Charles as she had 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists.
Both teams will wait to see where they will be seeded in the NCAA tournament.