OSU women bully Spartans

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

If Saturday’s second semifinal of the Big Ten is any indication of what the upcoming NCAA tournament will be like, fans better strap in.

Ohio State outbullied top-seeded and No. 11 Michigan State in a contest that had more than a win-or-go-home feel. It felt more like a title game.

Jantel Lavender tied a career high with 37 points and grabbed nine rebounds to send the Buckeyes into today’s Big Ten Conference championship game after a 72-57 victory over the Spartans, who won the Big Ten regular season title.

Lavender was the first to admit that the intensity both teams played with gave a glimpse into how important games are this time of year.

Welcome to March Madness.

“It was an all-out war,” Lavender said.

With Saturday’s victory, Ohio State (21-9) now will play second-seeded Penn State in today’s conference championship game.

The Nittany Lions defeated Illinois 79-64 in Saturday’s first semifinal.

But before the Buckeyes set their sights on Penn State, a team Ohio State split the season series with, they were all smiles after the game in their third win over Michigan State (26-5) this season.

Lavender left the court to a standing ovation from the Ohio State fans and cheers and chants could be heard from outside the Buckeyes’ locker room.

This one meant something.

“Every time we play Michigan State it’s like this,” sophomore guard Tayler Hill said after recounting the six ties and seven lead changes in the contest. “You know it’s going to be physical like that every time.”

Michigan State senior guard Kalisha Keane finished with 17 points and six rebounds.