Hill, Prahalis lift Buckeye women

Staff/wire reports

COLUMBUS

Tayler Hill scored 16 of her 25 points in the second half and No. 11 Ohio State beat Charlotte 88-58 on Monday as the Buckeyes improved to their best start in program history in the NCAA era.

Samantha Prahalis had 19 points and reserve forward Darryce Moore (Boardman) tied her career highs with 10 points and seven rebounds for the Buckeyes (11-0), who have won 22 of 23 dating to last season.

“We are getting better,” said Buckeyes coach Jim Foster. “Some individuals are getting better and collectively we are getting better. This time of year you need to be getting better. You need to be building blocks so that you have a great foundation, from that foundation I like us.”

Hillary Sigmon had 14 points and Gabby Tyler scored 13 for the 49ers (5-5), who have lost five straight. It was Charlotte’s first game since Dec. 7.

The Buckeyes showed little signs of fatigue from a red-eye flight Saturday night after their 77-75 win at California. They jumped out to a 44-14 lead on the heels of a 17-0 run in the opening half.

“When I woke up this morning and I felt good, I knew we wouldn’t have any problems,” Foster said. “I say this all the time but, do you have any recollection of what you were doing when you were 18-22? Fatigue? Why? How? You have all the energy in the world. You are doing something that you love.”

Ohio State shot 50 percent for the game and hit eight 3-pointers on the day. The 88 points marked a season high for the Buckeyes and the fourth time overall this season.

Freshman guard Amy Scullion (Salem) scored two points in nine minutes off the bench for OSU.

“We are just clicking,” Prahalis said. “I can’t explain it; we just know where we need to be. The offense is setting up and we are moving the ball well.

“We all knew this team was going to be a good one.”