Fueled by a quick start and a 12-0 run in the second half, the Ohio State women’s basketball team defeated Michigan State last night 70-65.

The Buckeyes (11-2, 2-0) were able to hold off a late Spartan charge to seal the victory.

In the first half, OSU jumped out to an 8-0 lead with the help of two three-pointers from Caity Matter.

She would finish the game with four treys, tying her career high.

The Buckeyes maintained the lead until late in the game, when a Spartan run allowed them to tie.

Spartan freshman Lindsay Bowen’s trey gave Michigan State a temporary lead.

The Spartan lead quickly dissipated when five straight points from OSU guard Ashley Allen gave the lead back to the Buckeyes.

“We got some easy looks in the first half from the outside that helped us in scoring,” said OSU women’s basketball coach Jim Foster.

The Buckeyes took a five-point lead to the locker room at the half.

While the outside play was key in the first half, the inside game of the Buckeyes began to dominate in the second half.

OSU got many back-door looks from the passing and shooting of LaToya Turner and Courtney Coleman.

“LaToya showed her strength on the outside, which helped Coleman on the inside,” Foster said.

That combination, along with Didi Reynolds, started to control the glass on both ends of the floor.

The Buckeyes out-rebounded the Spartans 33-22.

Michigan State then began to commit turnovers that allowed OSU’s lead to swell to 66-53.

Turner finished the game with a career-high five assists.

She also added to her Big Ten lead in blocked shots with three more against the Spartans. She has 27 on the season.

Michigan State women’s basketball coach Joann McCallie came away impressed with the Buckeyes.

“No one in the Big Ten has more talent,” she said. “They do a great job of setting up their post and Matter is one of the best shooting guards in the league.”

Along with their eighth-straight overall victory, the Buckeyes extended their home winning streak to eight. All but one of the victories came at the Schottenstein Center. OSU beat Texas Sunday at St. John Arena.

OSU will now leave Columbus for the next three games. The first comes up Sunday at Indiana.

The Buckeyes return home Jan. 23 when they face Illinois.