COLUMBUS – Kelsey Mitchell scored 33 points as No. 7 Ohio State beat fifth-ranked Maryland 94-86 in a marquee matchup of two elite Big Ten programs Monday night.
Ohio State never trailed en route to sweeping the regular season series against the Terrapins (21-3, 10-2), who did not lose a game to a Big Ten opponent last season and won the conference regular season and tournament titles in their first year as members.
The Buckeyes (19-4, 11-1) took sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
Ameryst Alston scored 22 points for Ohio State while Alexa Hart added 17 and Shayla Cooper had 11.
Mitchell and Alston made four 3-pointers apiece, part of a sizzling night for the Buckeyes from beyond the arc. Ohio State made 12 of 23 from behind the arc.
Earlier in the day, Mitchell was named one of the 10 finalists for the Nancy Lieberman Award, which recognizes the top point guard in women’s basketball.
Brionna Jones led Maryland with 28 points while Tierney Pfirman had 16, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 14 and Kristen Confroy had 13.