No. 3 Ohio State Snaps UConn’s Final Four Streak With Dominant Win

The Buckeyes reached the Elite Eight and dealt the Huskies a historic loss.

Down goes UConn. 

On Saturday, Ohio State stunned the Huskies in the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA tournament, snapping a long-standing streak from Geno Auriemma’s side. 

The Buckeyes’ win put an end to UConn’s nation-best streak of 14 consecutive Final Four appearances. Dating back to 2007, there has not been a single Final Four without the Huskies taking the court, but that streak came to a disappointing end on Saturday.

Additionally, UConn’s loss snaps a streak of consecutive Elite Eight appearances for the Huskies dating back to the 2005–06 season. 

UConn struggled to protect the ball during the Sweet 16 loss to Ohio State. The Huskies had 25 turnovers, including 18 in the first half. At halftime, UConn trailed 36–26, just the sixth time ever that the program was losing by double digits at halftime of an NCAA tournament game, per ESPN Stats and Info.

Only one Huskies player recorded fewer than two turnovers, and five of their eight players turned the ball over at least three times. Nika Muhl led all players with seven giveaways.

Ohio State’s big win was highlighted by the 23 points from freshman forward Cotie McMahon, who shot 8-for-17 from the field and 2-for-4 from three-point range. 

Following their 73–61 victory, the Buckeyes will advance to the Elite Eight, where they will match up against the winner of Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee. It’s the first time the Ohio State women’s basketball team has reached the Elite Eight since 1992–93.