Box Score COLUMBUS, Ohio- Taking on one of the nation's elite in the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes, the Belmont University women's basketball team (2-1) dropped a 84-56 decision Thursday evening in Columbus, Ohio.
Sophomore Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.) led BU with 14 and eight rebounds and freshman guard Darby Maggard (Larwill, Ind.) chipped in with 10.
"Offensively they were very good today. I would say that in my 15 years of coaching they're the fastest team I've ever seen grabbing the rebound and taking it up the court. This is a very very good basketball team we just played," said Head Coach Cameron Newbauer.
BU hung tough with the nation's seventh ranked team, as they were outscored by just one, 40-39, in the second half. Belmont outrebounded Ohio State 53-34. The Buckeyes featured four players over 6'2 including two 6'6 players. Smith's eight rebounds paced the Bruins while Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) collected six caroms.
"I think our kids attacked the glass. We were very impressive rebounding tonight," added Newbauer.
Belmont outscored Ohio State 17-12 in the fourth quarter.
OSU's star guard Kelsey Mitchell led the Buckeyes with 26 points and teammate Ameryst Alston posted a 22 point game.
At the half, the Bruins faced a 44-17 deficit, as the Buckeyes knocked down 10-of-21 3-pointers and forced 15 turnovers in the game's first 20 minutes. Belmont saw Smith turn in a nice performance heading into the break as she led team with nine first half points and six first half boards.
Smith scored Belmont's first six points of the game.
OSU jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead as they came out of the gates in a rhythm offensively, hitting eight of their first 12 attempts from the field.
Belmont trailed after the first 10 minutes 21-8, but put together a nice run of play as they opened the second frame with four straight points, forcing OSU to call a timeout.
"This game helps us learn how to compete. This is an NCAA Tournament type game for the us. The most important time of the year is March during our conference tournament and if we're fortunate enough to win it, this is the kind of team we would play. This is an NCAA Tournament type game because they're a typical 1,2, or 3 seed in the tourney," remarked Newbauer.
"I'm proud of our kids. In the second half we came out and we competed," Newbauer said.
Ellie Harmeyer (Kenosha, Wis.) appeared off the bench and registered nine points and five boards. Paris Lawson (Old Hickory, Tenn.) had a nice all around game, also off the bench, with five points, four rebounds and five assists.
For the third straight game, Newbauer featured the starting five of Sierra Jones (Huntsville, Ala., Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.), Smith, Maggard and McCabe.
The No. 7 Buckeyes improve to 1-2 on the season.
Thursday marked BU's first matchup against a Big Ten foe since the Bruins traveled to Purdue during the 2013-14 season.
Freshman forward Sam Ross saw action in her home state, as she hails from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Belmont returns to action Sunday, Nov. 22, as it hosts Cleveland State for a 4 p.m. CT tip at the Curb Event Center.
