The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Sarah Strong’s Second-Half Surge Powers No. 4 UConn Past No. 17 Ohio State, 87-55
By Megan McCarthy
Photo: Cbusram / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sarah Strong delivered a career night from beyond the arc, and No. 4 UConn turned a three-point halftime lead into a 32-point victory over No. 17 Ohio State, winning 87-55 Thursday at the Schottenstein Center.
Strong made a career-high seven 3-pointers on eight attempts and finished with 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting, along with nine rebounds, five assists and three steals, according to the Associated Press.
The game looked far more competitive through the first 20 minutes. UConn led 38-35 at halftime, but the Huskies took control after the break, outscoring Ohio State 49-20 in the second half.
The decisive stretch came in the third quarter. UConn poured in 27 points while holding the Buckeyes to 11, creating the separation that turned a close game into a rout.
Strong was at the center of the turnaround. The Associated Press reported that she picked up two early fouls and sat out the entire second quarter. She returned after halftime and scored 20 points in the second half, including 17 in the third quarter alone. Five of her seven 3-pointers came in that quarter.
Ohio State could not keep pace with UConn’s second-half scoring. Jaloni Cambridge led the Buckeyes with 21 points, according to Land-Grant Holy Land. Ohio State shot 34.5% from the field and 20.8% from 3-point range.
The final score reflected a dramatic shift from the first half. After trailing by just three at the break, Ohio State was outscored by 29 points over the final two quarters. UConn’s 32-point victory was built on its defensive pressure and Strong’s shooting surge.
UConn improved to 3-1 with the win. Ohio State fell to 3-1 with the loss, its first of the season.
The Associated Press reported that UConn has now won eight of the nine meetings between the programs.
Megan McCarthy
Women’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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