No. 2 Ohio State 80, No. 15 Maine 57
Jacy Sheldon scored 19 points as the Buckeyes raced away from the Black Bears in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.
Cotie McMahon scored 13 points, while Taylor Thierry and Celeste Taylor each added 12 apiece for host Ohio State (26-5). Taylor also had team-highs in assists (5), rebounds (6) and steals (6).
Anne Simon poured in 25 points for Maine (24-10), which was playing in the tournament for the first time in five years.
After a tight first quarter, the Buckeyes pulled away in the second with a 21-8 run, taking a 19-point advantage into the break. Ohio State would eventually go on to lead by 27 points.
No. 7 Duke 72, No. 10 Richmond 61
Reigan Richardson scored 25 points to help the Blue Devils beat the Spiders in first-round action in Columbus.
Richardson shot 10-of-18 from the floor and also had seven rebounds for Duke (21-11), which will face Ohio State on Sunday. Ashlon Jackson added 14 points for the Blue Devils, while Kennedy Brown chipped in 10 points and five assists.
Richmond (29-6), the champs of the Atlantic 10, were led by 18 points from Grace Townsend and 17 points from Addie Budnik. Maggie Doogan scored 15 and pulled down seven rebounds.
Duke trailed by nine points at halftime, but then opened the third frame with an 18-4 run to take a five-point advantage. Richardson had five points and three rebounds during that crucial stretch.
Key for Duke was its dominance on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 40-22.
–Field Level Media
