She’s now the second-leading scorer in the history of NCAA women’s basketball, but Kelsey Mitchell was in no mood to celebrate Monday night.
“We lost. That’s all I have to say,” an emotional Mitchell told reporters after the game.
Mitchell and the other Buckeyes were overwhelmed by the sharp shooting of Central Michigan, which came into the game in St. John Arena as a heavy underdog against the Big Ten champions. The Chippewas sprang to a 34-21 lead at halftime and kept it rolling in the third quarter by shooting 7-of-8 from behind the three-point line.
The final score was Central Michigan 95, Ohio State 78.
The loss ends the college career of Mitchell, the most-decorated basketball player in Ohio State history. She’s a three-time Big Ten Conference Player of the Year. Mitchell finished Monday’s game with 28 points, which was enough to push her past former Southwest Missouri State player Jackie Stiles to become the second-highest scorer in the history of NCAA women’s basketball.
Head coach Kevin McGuff has taken the Buckeyes to the NCAA Tournament in four of his years at the helm, but the team has never advanced past the third round.
The Monday win pushes Central Michigan into the third round for the first time in program history.
