# No. 12 Ohio State Storms Back for 81–67 Win Over Indiana

- Link: https://exclusiveaccess.net/no-12-ohio-state-storms-back-for-81-67-win-over-indiana/
- Published: 2026-01-23T11:43:47-05:00
- Author: Amanee Muhammad

 

No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball erased a 15-point first-quarter deficit Thursday
night, rallying past Indiana for an 81–67 victory at Value City Arena. Playing without
injured forward Kylee Kitts, the Buckeyes leaned on defense, pace, and lineup adjustments
to secure their second straight Big Ten win.

Indiana came out firing, opening the game 7-for-9 from the field with five early
three-pointers to build a commanding lead. Ohio State struggled offensively in the
opening minutes, but a spark from Ava Watson—who started in place of Kitts—shifted
momentum. Watson knocked down the Buckeyes’ first three of the night and recorded
three first-quarter steals during a run that cut the deficit to four by the end 
of the period.

Despite continued defensive pressure, Indiana’s Lenée Beaumont and Shay Ciezki carried
the Hoosiers in the first half, combining for 30 points as Indiana took a 10-point
lead into halftime.

Ohio State responded with its trademark third-quarter surge, forcing turnovers and
speeding up the game. With center Elsa Lemmilä sidelined due to foul trouble, the
Buckeyes turned to a five-guard lineup that ignited a full-court press. Back-to-
back steals and three-pointers in under 30 seconds gave Ohio State its first lead
of the game late in the third quarter.

The Buckeyes carried that momentum into the fourth, flipping their halftime deficit
into an eight-point advantage midway through the final period. Key baskets and defensive
stops down the stretch sealed the comeback, as Ohio State pulled away to hand Indiana
its seventh straight Big Ten loss.