COLUMBUS, Ohio — Taylor Mikesell scored a game-high 31 points as No. 3 Ohio State erased a halftime deficit and avoided an upset with an 87-81 victory over Illinois on Sunday.
After trailing by as many as 17 points in the second half, the Buckeyes (17-0, 6-0 Big Ten) used a 13-0 run in the third quarter to tie the game at 58 with 2:16 to go in the quarter.
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Entering the fourth quarter tied at 65, Rikki Harris made a 3-pointer and Ohio State didn’t trail again.
The Buckeyes shot 42.9% in the fourth quarter while the Illini (14-3, 4-2) went 1 of 7 beyond the arc in that span.
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Mikesell shot 50% from the field and Cotie McMahon added 22 points for Ohio State. Taylor Thierry had 12 points and four steals.
Both teams matched one another in the first quarter. Illinois began 10 of 21 from the field and Genesis Bryant scored 10 points, while the Buckeyes went 8 of 8 at the free-throw line but shot 31.3%.
Knotted at 22 after the opening quarter, the Illini raced ahead on a 10-2 run and outscored Ohio State 25-15 in the second quarter. Illinois led 47-37 at halftime.
Illinois’ Kendall Bostic notched her sixth double-double of the season with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Bryant finished with 20 points, Makira Cook had 12 and Brynn Shoup-Hill scored 10 for the Illini.
Illinois: A seven-game winning streak ended for the Illini, who are second in the Big Ten standings.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes continue their program-best start to the season despite the absences of guards Madison Greene and Jacy Sheldon, who are dealing with injuries.
Illinois: At Minnesota on Sunday.
Ohio State: At Nebraska on Saturday.
