COLLEGE

Wednesday's state hoops: MSU women fall short on the road to Buckeyes

Associated Press

If there was one word to describe Michigan State's matchup with Ohio State on the hardwood Wednesday night, it would be "rollercoaster".

Unfortunately the Spartans' wild ride didn't end happily, as MSU fell short in an 89-83 loss to Ohio State in Big Ten play at Columbus.

Matilda Ekh scored a career-high 27 points for the Spartans (8-8, 2-3 Big Ten), while Nia Clouden finished with 21 points, including 18 in the second half, and Tamara Farquhar added 13 points and eight boards for MSU, which dropped its second straight.

Michigan State's Matilda Ekh attempts a jumper

Jacy Sheldon had a game-high 33 points and was 12-of-15 from the field to lead the Buckeyes (12-3, 4-2 Big Ten). 

After taking a 27-18 lead after the opening period, MSU got blitzed with a 28-8 run by OSU and trailed by as much as 17 in the late stages of the third quarter, but battled back.

The Spartans got as close as four with late in the fourth quarter, but Ohio State was able to fend off MSU to hold on to the victory.

More women's hoops

Ball State 83, Eastern Michigan 73: Eastern Michigan fell to Ball State, 83-73, at home in the George Gervin GameAbove Center on Wednesday. 

Areanna Combs led the way for Eastern Michigan (4-6, 1-2 MAC) with 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists while Ce'Nara Skanes added 16 points.  

Chyna Latimer finished with 17 points for Ball State (9-5, 2-2 MAC), who had five players record double-digits in scoring. Sydney Freeman chipped in 15 points, with Annie Rauch adding 12 points and four rebounds off the bench.

Toledo 74, Central Michigan 49: Molly Davis finished with a game-high 26 points for Central Michigan, but it wasn't nearly enough as the Chippewas fell to Toledo, 74-49, on the road Wednesday night. 

Davis finished as the only player to score in double digits for CMU (3-11, 1-4 MAC), who fell behind early and could not recover against the best defensive team in the conference. 

Toledo (11-3, 5-0 MAC) had four players finish in double figures, led by Quinesha Lockett with 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets. Coming into the matchup, Toledo led the MAC in defense, allowing only 58.4 points per game.