COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kelsey Mitchell’s 39 points set an Ohio State freshman record and Ameryst Alston added 26 as the Buckeyes ambushed No. 21 West Virginia 96-54 on Monday to snap the Mountaineers’ seven-game winning streak.
“Hats off to what Ohio State did today,” said WVU associate head coach Chester Nichols. “They did what they needed to do, but we had some breakdowns.”
Bria Holmes reached double-figures for the 15th consecutive game, recording a team-high 17 points, yet that wasn’t nearly enough to keep West Virginia (9-2) in the game. Not with Mitchell sinking 8-of-10 from 3-point range and the Buckeyes (8-4) making 13 shots overall from beyond the arc.
Mitchell might have scored more if not for foul trouble limiting her to 27 minutes of action.
“We did what we wanted to do,” Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. “They’re a really good team and they didn’t have a really good day—partly because we played really well and partly they didn’t have a great day, like we all have.”
The Buckeyes used a 26-7 first-half run to seize the lead for good. After West Virginia closed to within nine points in the second half, Ohio State countered with runs of 7-0 and 17-0.
The Mountaineers shot 31 percent and were hamstrung by 26 turnovers in dropping to 0-12 all-time against Ohio State.
“The 28 points they got off our turnovers was the difference right there,” said WVU assistant Lester Rowe. “They controlled the tempo and we got in foul trouble.”
West Virginia last gave up 90 points on Nov. 19, 2009, also in a loss to Ohio State in Columbus.
Averee Fields recorded her third double-double this season, with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
West Virginia closes out nonconference play Dec. 29 against Saint Francis at the WVU Coliseum.