Despite loss, OSU women hopeful

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Just about everybody expected this to be a long season for Ohio State.

First-year coach Kevin McGuff is hopeful that the lessons learned — such as what was gleaned from a 74-54 loss to No. 9 Penn State on Sunday — may pay dividends down the road.

“That’s where we’re aspiring to go, hopefully sooner rather than later,” McGuff said in comparing his team to the Nittany Lions. “The thing about it is, they’re certainly better than we are and that was proved today. But I don’t think the gap is that far.”

The Buckeyes had few proven standouts when McGuff was hired last spring in the wake of Ohio State’s firing of 10-year coach Jim Foster. Foster’s teams always were in the thick of contention in the Big Ten and annually piled up 20 wins, but usually wilted in the NCAA tournament.

The Buckeyes (14-13, 4-7 Big Ten) have taken their lumps. But there will be brighter days ahead.

McGuff brought in two top transfers — Kianna Holland from Duke and Shayla Cooper from Georgetown — who will see their first playing time midway through next season. He also locked up a stellar recruiting class which should provide a boost immediately.

“I know they have some really, really good recruits coming in next year. I know they’re going to be competitive. They’re a competitive team in our conference right now,” said Coquese Washington, the seventh year coach at Penn State (18-5, 9-2).

Raven Ferguson and Ameryst Alston each scored 16 points for the Buckeyes, who have lost six of eight. Boardman grad Darryce Moore scored two points and grabbed five rebounds for OSU, while Salem grad Amy Scullion had seven points.