COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 10 Indiana women’s basketball looked to notch its first-ranked road victory of the season, taking on No. 8 Ohio State on Sunday. The Hoosiers cut their deficit to 3 with less than 20 seconds remaining but committed a season-high 23 turnovers in a 74-69 loss.
Ahead of the top-10 matchup, senior guard Sydney Parrish was ruled out for the fourth consecutive game, although this time she sported a boot without crutches. Sophomore guard Lexus Bargesser walked into the arena with a boot on her lower left leg but assumed Parrish’s spot in the starting lineup just as she had the past two weeks.
The Buckeyes controlled the opening tip, but it was Indiana graduate student forward Mackenzie Holmes who opened the scoring, spinning in the lane to lay the ball in to give the Hoosiers an early 2-0 lead. The squads traded baskets throughout the opening frame before Ohio State went on an 8-0 run over the final 1:48, draining a pair of 3-pointers and a layup.
Down 18-11 after 10 minutes, the Hoosiers were at risk of losing touch with the Buckeyes. However, they went on a 7-0 run and a 5-0 run in the first three minutes of the second quarter. After beginning to trade buckets again, Indiana held Ohio State scoreless in the final 4:09 of the half while going on a 7-0 to take a 37-32 lead at halftime.
Fifth-year senior guard Sara Scalia led all scorers with 11 points at the break while Holmes followed with 10. The Hoosiers committed 10 turnovers in the first 20 minutes, allowing the Buckeyes to score 13 points off them.
Indiana’s turnover trouble continued into the third quarter, giving the basketball away 11 times to bring its total to 21 with 10 minutes still to play. Ohio State scored 9 points off the turnovers while the Hoosiers scored just 10 total points and found themselves down 55-47.
While Indiana limited its turnovers in the fourth quarter and pulled to within 3 points with 20 seconds remaining, the Buckeyes held on en route to a 5-point victory.
Ohio State graduate student guard Jacy Sheldon led all scorers with 25 points on 8-of-20 from the field. Scalia led the Hoosiers with 25 points while Holmes and sophomore guard Yarden Garzon each totaled 14.
The Hoosiers will return to Bloomington for a two-game homestand, beginning 7 p.m, Feb. 8 against Michigan State inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa), columnist Ryan Canfield (@_ryancanfield) and photographer Olivia Bianco (@theoliviabianco) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s basketball season.
