Ohio State Women's has epic comeback win over Cailtin Clark and Iowa in OT thriller

In a thrilling showdown at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, the No. 18 Ohio State Buckeyes orchestrated a stunning upset, overcoming a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes 100-92 in overtime. The Buckeyes' defensive effort, forcing turnovers at a rate of nearly 21 per game, came to the forefront during crunch time, sparking a remarkable 25-13 run to end regulation. Cotie McMahon, with a career-high 33 points and 12 rebounds, played a pivotal role, leading Ohio State to a monumental victory despite Iowa's Caitlin Clark delivering a stellar performance with 45 points and seven rebounds.

The game, witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of 18,660 at the Schottenstein Center, marked the largest attendance for an indoor women's college basketball game this season. Ohio State fans jubilantly stormed the court after their team's triumph and there was an issue with a fan running into Clark. Despite Clark's extraordinary 45-point effort and Iowa leading for over 33 minutes, the Buckeyes, fueled by Jacy Sheldon's 24 points and McMahon's heroics, staged a remarkable comeback.

Ohio State's defense held firm in the overtime period, limiting the Hawkeyes to just 2-8 from the field. This victory marked Iowa's first conference loss of the season and its first defeat since November 16. While McMahon emerged as the leading scorer for Ohio State, Sheldon contributed significantly, finishing with 24 points and seven rebounds. The Buckeyes showcased their shooting range, making 11-of-22 three-point attempts.

With this victory, Ohio State improved to 15-3 and demonstrated their capability against top-ranked opponents, boasting a 14-62 record against AP top five teams. On the other hand, Iowa, now 18-2 and 7-1 in Big Ten play, faced a tough test reminiscent of high-stakes March matchups. The intense atmosphere at the Schottenstein Center reflected the challenges both teams will encounter in their pursuit of success in the NCAA Tournament.

The game served as a pivotal moment for Iowa, reminding them of the competitive landscape they will navigate in their quest for a deep March run and maybe Clark’s last shot for a championship title.