In an exciting matchup at the Schottenstein Center on Sunday, the eighth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes triumphed over the No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers with a final score of 74-69. This win marks Ohio State's ninth consecutive victory, maintaining their impressive winning streak in the 2024 calendar year.

The game began with a slow offensive start for the Buckeyes, as they made only two of their first 11 shots. However, Ohio State rallied and finished the first quarter strong, taking an 18-11 lead. Despite Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes scoring seven points in the first quarter, her teammates struggled to find the basket, resulting in a two-for-eight shooting performance.

The second quarter saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with the Hoosiers going on a 7-2 run to take a 37-32 lead at halftime. Ohio State's Cotie McMahon led the Buckeyes with nine points in the first half, while Indiana's Sara Scalia topped all scorers with 11 points.

After the break, Ohio State came out firing and quickly tied the game with five points from Taylor Thierry and Jacy Sheldon. McMahon's spinning layup with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter gave the Buckeyes their first lead of the half at 43-42. This sparked an impressive 11-0 run by McMahon and Sheldon, increasing Ohio State's lead to 50-42.

The Buckeyes continued their dominance in the third quarter, with Rebeka Mikulasikova's three-pointer and a fast-break layup by Celeste Taylor extending their lead to double-digits for the first time in the game. However, Scalia's three-pointer at the end of the quarter reduced the deficit to eight points.

Entering the final quarter, Sheldon came alive for the Buckeyes, scoring five consecutive points to give Ohio State a comfortable 13-point advantage. McMahon's three-point play pushed the lead to 14 points, but the resilient Hoosiers fought back with an 8-2 run, bringing the deficit down to eight once again.

Thierry then stepped up for Ohio State, draining a crucial three-pointer to put the Buckeyes ahead by double digits at 68-57 with just over three minutes left in the game. Despite a late surge from Indiana, Ohio State held on to secure the 74-69 victory.

Jacy Sheldon led the way for Ohio State with an impressive 25 points, while Cotie McMahon provided valuable support with 20 points of her own. Mikulasikova and Thierry also made significant contributions, each scoring 11 points. On the opposing side, Sara Scalia put up a valiant effort with 25 points for the Hoosiers, although the Buckeyes effectively limited Mackenzie Holmes to just 14 points.

With this win, Ohio State improves their record to 19-3 for the season and 10-1 in Big Ten play, putting them in a tie with Iowa for the lead in the conference standings. If the season were to end today, Ohio State would be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament due to their head-to-head victory against the Hawkeyes. However, Ohio State will face a tough test when they go head-to-head with Iowa on the road for their regular-season finale on March 3.

The Buckeyes' dominant performance against Indiana showcases their continued determination and strength as they aim to maintain their position atop the Big Ten. With their talented roster and winning momentum, Ohio State remains a formidable contender in the conference.