Kelsey Mitchell’s 36 points not enough in OSU women’s basketball’s 88-80 loss at No. 2 South …

OSU then-freshman guard Kelsey Mitchell (3) dribbles the ball during a game against Iowa on Feb. 21 at the Schottenstein Center. Credit: Lantern File Photo Despite sophomore guard Kelsey Mitchell’s best efforts to keep No. 6 Ohio State in the game, the Buckeyes women’s basketball team faded down the stretch, falling 88-80 to No. 2 South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. Mitchell, a preseason All-American and the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, scored 36 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter. As time began dwindling down and the Gamecocks took a 74-69 lead with five minutes remaining, Mitchell took the game over, leading two fast breaks by herself. On each of the drives, she was fouled and sent to the line both times before draining a 3-pointer to bring the Buckeyes within two points. A subsequent jumper from junior forward Shayla Cooper tied the game and forced South Carolina to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Gamecocks pulled away, slowing the pace, taking advantage of missed shots and turning offensive rebounds into second-chance points. “We need to do a better job of holding our composure,” senior guard Ameryst Alston said. “I didn’t think we were too out of it, but it just came down to execution on offense as well as rebounding.” Although 80 points seems like enough to win on most nights, OSU shot just 32.5 percent from the field. Only two Buckeyes players, Mitchell and Alston, scored in double digits. Alston added 23 points of her own. “I thought Ameryst and Kelsey were both outstanding,” OSU coach Kevin McGuff said. …

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