FINAL: IU 64, OSU 81
HALFTIME: IU 26, OSU 31
Jori Davis leads the Hoosiers with 9 points. Hope Elam, who had 24 points against Michigan, has only played 4 minutes against the Buckeyes, and has 2 fouls and 1 point.The Hoosiers also turned the ball over 9 times.
The Buckeyes are led by Jantel Lavender with 10 points and 8 rebounds.
Check Hoosier Hype after the game for final updates.
PREGAME:The Hoosiers (9-7, 2-3) take on arguably their toughest conference opponent today at 2 pm when the team travels to Columbus, OH. The 5th ranked Buckeyes(18-1, 6-0) are undefeated against Big Ten opponents, and their only loss on the season came against Duke in a Big Ten/ACC Challenge away game.
The Buckeyes are ranked nationally in several categories including:
- 4th in FG percentage with 47.9%
- 22nd in rebounding margin with 8.2
- 8th in 3-point FG percentage with 39.5%
- 8th in assists per game with 18.1
- 8th in scoring offense with 82.1 points per game
- 11th in scoring margin, averaging a 22.4 difference in points per game
But the rankings don't stop there, as the Buckeyes have several talented players who are also earning nationally ranked stats. Their 6'4'' center, junior Jantel Lavender, is averaging 22.0 points per game, ranked 9th in the nation. Lavender also averages 10.2 rebounds per game, ranked 20th, and is ranked 36th in FG percentage, with 53.4%. Lavender, on the season, has also had 9 double-doubles, the 4th highest amount in the country. Also, not only is Lavender playing averaging a double-double on the season, she has managed to score in double-digits 84 games in a row. Lavender's streak is currently the longest active streak in the nation.The Buckeyes also have junior guard Brittany Johnson, who is ranked 5th with a 50.7% 3-point FG percentage.
However, even though the Buckeyes are an offensive powerhouse, the Hoosiers have a stout defense. The Hoosiers are ranked 42nd in the nation in FG percentage defense with 35.7% and lead the Big Ten in the statistic. But even with one of the Big Ten's best defenses, the Hoosiers will be in for a tough game. The Buckeyes have won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the two teams.
Keeping up with Braun's record status:
- Needs 5 assists to move into 7th place
- Needs 9 steals to move into 4th place
- Needs 7 points to move into 10th place in all-time scoring
Check Hoosier Hype for halftime and final updates.
