OSU Women's Basketball Team Speeds Toward The NCAA Sweet 16

OSU Women's Basketball Team Speeds Toward The NCAA Sweet 16

KelseyMitchellOhioState

When OSU beat Kentucky 82-68 in women's hoops on Sunday, their victory ensured that they're headed to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second year in a row. The game was also a huge victory for OSU's star junior guard Kelsey Mitchell, who became the Big Ten's all-time career three-point leader.

Many athletes would have considered the achievement quite impressive in its own right, but Mitchell seems focused solely on the tournament. When pressed for an answer about what this record means to her, Mitchell reminded journalists that the tournament is about acting as a cohesive team. She considers herself more of a team player than an individual.

Mitchell also invoked a popular phrase when she told reporters that she wants to survive and advance before thinking about anything else. Teams around the Big Ten use this refrain to remind themselves that you have to survive each individual game if you want to make it to the Big Dance.

It's an appropriate reminder for the OSU women's team since the fifth-seed Buckeyes almost squandered their 19-point lead before they lit up the scoreboard. The Buckeyes lead 46-31 at the half, but Kentucky narrowed the gap to just eight points at the end of the third quarter.

This was also an emotional game for Linnae Harper, who played two seasons for Kentucky before she transferred to OSU. She had eight assists, 12 points and 10 rebounds against her old team.

The Buckeyes will play their next game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, which is about a mile from where they survived this round.

Kentucky, Ohio State advance -- but Belmont leaves last impression
 
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