Ohio State then-freshman guard Janai Crooms (3) goes up for a shot against Penn State on Feb 6. Ohio State won 78-73. Credit: Cori Wade | Assistant Photo Editor
Ohio State was the latest victim of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, as Iowa won their 31st straight game on their home court Thursday.
Ohio State (11-8, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to hold onto its halftime lead and fell to No. 19 Iowa (16-3, 7-1) 77-68.
The Hawkeyes were led by their scoring trio of senior guards Makenzie Meyer and Kathleen Doyle alongside sophomore center Monika Czinano as they combined for 57 points on the night.
Doyle was all over the court, finishing with 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Half of her points came in the final quarter alone.
Buckeye sophomore forward Dorka Juhasz got her third double-double of the season, finishing with 22 points and 16 rebounds.
Ohio State’s bench remained consistent, outscoring the Hawkeyes 26-9 as sophomore guard Janai Crooms added 16 points on 7-of-13 from the field. Freshman guard Kierstan Bell continued her recent hot-streak, finishing with 10 points on 4-for-10 shooting.
The Buckeyes struggled in the second half as they shot 26 percent and were outscored by the Hawkeyes 42-29.
Ohio State had a red-hot start from 3, hitting seven in the first half. The Buckeyes cooled down in the second half, though, as they didn’t make one until late in the fourth. They shot 1-for-15 from deep in the second half.
The Buckeyes moved the ball with ease as they had 16 assists on 25 made shots. Freshman guard Madison Greene had five of her own.
Ohio State returns to the floor next Thursday against No. 20 Maryland for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff at the Schottenstein Center.
