Losing streak stretches to unlucky 13 for IU

The number 13 has never been particularly lucky, and neither has the IU women’s basketball team in Big Ten play this season.

After falling to No. 9 Ohio State (22-3, 10-3 Big Ten) in Columbus, Ohio, Thursday night 75-54, IU’s (5-21, 0-13) losing streak hit unlucky number 13 with only three games remaining in the season.

IU Coach Felisha Legette-Jack didn’t make any excuses for the loss.

“What went wrong was that the No. 9 team in the country showed up,” she said. “This is a team that knows how to win and that has a history of winning. We’re a team that’s
really trying to figure out what winning feels like.”

The main difference in the game was shooting. While the Buckeyes connected on 55.2 percent of their shots and 46.7 percent from behind the 3-point line, IU could only muster a 28.8 percent shooting performance. The Hoosiers were more successful from behind the arc, hitting 30.8 percent from deep.

Ohio State was also able to out-rebound the Hoosiers by a margin of 47-28.
The bright spots for IU came from junior forward Aulani Sinclair and freshman center Quaneisha McCurty.

In a forgettable shooting night for IU, Sinclair was able to hit nine of her 17 shots, including 4-of-8 from long range, and scored 23 points. She also added three rebounds and one block. She scored in double digits for the 15th time this season.

McCurty achieved a double-double on the night, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while adding two steals. The double-double was her first in conference play and the third of the season.

Leading the way for the Buckeyes was junior guard Tayler Hill. She recorded a game-high 27 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 7-of-8 3-pointers. She also grabbed seven rebounds, dished four assists, stole the ball four times and rejected two shots.

Legette-Jack said she knows her team will continue to learn from their losses.

“We’re going to continue to get better,” she said. “Hats off to the best team tonight, which was Ohio State.”

IU will try to end its losing streak against Michigan Sunday in Assembly Hall. Tip-off is set for noon.