Scoring error might have cost Buckeyes Big Ten

A scoring error in the IU women’s basketball team’s win over then-No. 20 Ohio State might have had an effect on the Big Ten regular-season title. \nA statement from the Women’s Basketball Officiating Consortium, which handles Big Ten refereeing, admitted that a point was allowed that should not have been. That point tied the game at 52-52, and the contest went into overtime, with the Hoosiers winning 69-61.\nWith 2:38 left in regulation, IU junior forward Whitney Thomas was shooting the front end of a one-and-one. IU was called for a lane violation on Thomas’ first free throw attempt, which she made. \nThe officiating crew gathered at the scorer’s table for review, eventually ruling that the free throw counted. But the point should not have been allowed, according to the statement. The lane violation should have disqualified the free throw, which came in the midst of a 33-18 IU run over the last 12-plus minutes of the game, including overtime. \n“After further review of the video and discussion with game officials, scorer’s table personnel and the officials observer, the WBOC has concluded that there was shared responsibility among all parties involved in this situation,” the statement read. “The scoring error was correctable until the end of regulation but was never adjusted. The WBOC will follow up with all of the involved parties to address this issue.”\nAfter the game, Ohio State coach Jim Foster was asked about the call, which he quizzed the officials about during the game. When asked if he got an explanation, he simply replied, “No.”\nAccording to a Feb. 27 Associated Press story, Ohio State officials declined comment on the call. \nWins over Penn State and Northwestern to close out the season gave the Buckeyes a 13-5 Big Ten record. That mark left them tied with Iowa atop the Big Ten standings, meaning the two teams will share the Big Ten regular season title, though a 2-0 record against Iowa this season means Ohio State will own the No. 1 seed heading into next weekend’s Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.