Ohio State ends UConn women’s run of 14 straight Final Fours

SEATTLE (AP) — UConn’s record Final Four run isover, thanks to a monumental performance by Ohio State.

The Buckeyes ended UConn’s unprecedented streak of reaching 14consecutive Final Fours, beating the Huskies 73-61 on Saturday inthe Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

“The problem with streaks is the longer they go, you’re closerto it ending than you are to the beginning of it,” UConn coach GenoAuriemma said. “It’s just a matter of time. I mean, it’s not ifit’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of time when it’s going tohappen. And it was going to happen sooner rather than later.”

Cotie McMahon scored 23 points for the Buckeyes, who snappedtheir three-decade Elite Eight drought. The Buckeyes hadn’t made aregional final since 1993, when they eventually lost in the titlegame to Texas Tech.

“When I had the opportunity to come to Ohio State, this wascertainly the goal and the vision to go farther than they have beengoing,” said coach Kevin McGuff, who had never beaten UConn. “It’snot easy to get here, obviously. But I’m really proud of our teamand our program of how we’ve evolved to be able to get to thispoint.

“Like I said, I mean, I have so much respect for Geno and hisstaff and all that they have accomplished. So for us to be able towin this game in the Sweet 16 is obviously extremely significant.They’re just hard to beat. They’re so well-coached. So this is agreat win for us.”

The third-seeded Buckeyes (28-7) forced No. 2 seed UConn (31-6)into 25 turnovers, ending the Huskies’ season before the nationalsemifinals for the first time in 14 seasons. UConn hadn’t beeneliminated this early since 2006.

“It’s an impossibility to do what we have done already,”Auriemma said. “What’s the next highest streak? ... And you takethat in stride and you say, yeah, it was great while it lasted andit’s a credit to all the players that we had and all the times thatyou have to perform really, really well at this level.”

Ohio State will play Virginia Tech on Monday night in theSeattle 3 Region final with a trip to Dallas at stake. The Hokiesbeat Tennessee 73-64.

Ohio State, which had to rally from a double-digit deficit inthe first round against James Madison, used full-court pressure todisrupt the Huskies’ offense.

“Our press is what we rely on, and sticking together and talkingthrough it,” said Ohio State’s Jacy Sheldon, who had 17 points andwent 10-for-10 from the foul line. “We knew UConn was going to beready for us, so we knew we were going to have to stay consistentthroughout the game.”

This has been the most trying year of Auriemma’s Hall of Famecareer. UConn was beset by injuries and illnesses to both playersand coaches, including a torn ACL that sidelined star PaigeBueckers all season. It got so bad the Huskies had to postpone agame when they didn’t have enough scholarship players. They alsosaw their unbelievable run of 30 years without consecutive lossescome to an end.

“We picked the worst day to actually be doing the things thatwe’ve been struggling with all year long,” Auriemma said in asideline interview during the game.

Lou Lopez Senechal scored 25 points for the Huskies, Azzi Fuddhad 14, and Ohio State transfer Dorka Juhasz finished with 13points and 10 rebounds.

The Huskies led 17-9 before Ohio State started scoring andturning UConn over with its full-court press. The Buckeyes scoredthe next 17 points, forcing 11 turnovers during that stretch, whichspanned the first and second quarters. UConn had eight turnovers tostart the second quarter, leaving Auriemma exasperated on thesideline.

McMahon was converting those turnovers into points for theBuckeyes as the freshman finished the half with 18 points —equaling the number of turnovers the Huskies had in the opening 20minutes. Ohio State led 36-26 at the break.

This was only the sixth time UConn had trailed by double digitsat the half in an NCAA Tournament game, according to ESPN. TheHuskies lost all of those.

UConn did a better job of taking care of the ball in the secondhalf and cut the deficit to 44-39 on Senechal’s layup with 3:53left in the third quarter. Ohio State responded and still led by 10after three quarters.

The Buckeyes didn’t let the Huskies make any sort of run in thefourth quarter. UConn got within nine with 4:30 left, but McMahonhad a three-point play to restore the double-digit lead. TheHuskies never threatened after that.

Now the Huskies will start their offseason sooner than anytimein the past 17 years.

TIP-INS

This was the first win for Ohio State over UConn in seven tries.The teams’ last meeting was in the 2019-20 regular season. ...UConn was a paltry 7-for-15 from the foul line while Ohio Statewent 22-for-30. ... UConn’s season high for turnovers was 27against Princeton.

THE HOUSE THAT SUE BUILT

The Seattle Regionals are being playing in Climate Pledge Arena— home of the Seattle Storm. UConn and Storm great Sue Bird was inthe stands, sitting a few rows behind the scorers’ table. Shereceived a loud ovation from the crowd when she was shown midwaythrough the first quarter on the videoboards.

FAMILIAR FOE

Juhasz graduated from Ohio State two years ago and flourishedthere, earning all-Big Ten honors twice. She came to UConn lastyear looking for a new challenge and wanting to play for a teamthat could compete for national championships. She’ll leave withoutone.

There is a mutual respect between Juhasz and the Buckeyes’coaching staff.