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No. 13 Ohio State 60, Iowa 59: Another Close Call

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No. 13 Ohio State 60, Iowa 59: Another Close Call


No. 13 Ohio State 60, Iowa 59: Another Close Call

Iowa’s bid for a fourth-straight Big Ten Tournament title — and what would have been a record-setting 12th consecutive Big Ten Tournament victory — came up just short on Friday night, as the Hawkeyes fell to No. 13 Ohio State, 60-59. The Hawkeyes led with under a minute to go, but couldn’t see out the victory; a pair of Cotie McMahon free throws with 6.7 seconds to go gave Ohio State its final lead of the game and the Hawkeyes weren’t able to convert a pair of scoring chances at the other end before time expired.

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With the defeat, Iowa falls to 22-10 overall, while Ohio State improves to 25-5. The Hawkeyes will now have two weeks off until the 2025 NCAA Tournament gets underway.

The Deep Three breaks down the big takeaways from Iowa’s very narrow loss.

1. Almost Got ‘Em – Again

For all the strides Iowa has made in this rebuilding season without Lisa Bluder, Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, and more, one thing has elude the new-look Hawkeyes under head coach Jan Jensen: close game success. Tonight’s defeat drops the Hawkeyes to 0-5 in one-possession games this year — that’s half of Iowa’s total losses for the season. Truly, one-score games have been Iowa’s kryptonite.

In several of those losses, Iowa has had potential game-winning (or game-tying) shots at the buzzer, but couldn’t convert. Addison O’Grady missed game-ending baskets at Oregon and against UCLA, while Sydney Affolter and Hannah Stuelke each got off unsuccessful potential game-winning shots tonight.

“I think when you go, you kind of think [of] your sets, sometimes you kind of go with who you think is going to hit the corner pocket,” said Jensen after the game. “Then I’ll go back and think, oh, maybe we should have thrown it inside. Maybe we shouldn’t have driven it.”

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The end-of-game struggles in close games seem indicative of this Iowa team in a few ways. One, this team is good — and very, very close to being really good. It just hasn’t been able to quite get over that hump to win the tightest games. Two, this is a roster — and a coach — learning on the fly.

For the last four years, Iowa had the benefit of an all-time closer in Caitlin Clark, an offensive wizard with the ability to take — and make — any shot she wanted or draw a foul in the biggest moments. Iowa also had a head coach with a deep reserve of experience in Lisa Bluder, who could call upon those years of experience to try to find the right play in those key moments.

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This Iowa team has no Clark and no Bluder; the Hawkeyes don’t have a go-to superstar to try and close out games and Jan Jensen is still feeling her way through late-game situations. She acknowledged as much after the game.

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“I don’t feel like — I’m not dismayed by it. I just wish we would have did this a little better, but I think it’s just sport,” said Jensen. “Last night I felt pretty good about what I called. This one, I’m like, oh, maybe I should have gone a different way in that last 6.8 seconds.”

Close losses are always a bitter pill to swallow — lose a game by a point and it’s impossible not to think about what could have gone differently to reverse that result. A made layup here, a better pass there; a three-pointer that rattles in instead of out, a successful box-out and rebound; a whistle blown here, a foul not called there. And so on. Still: while the result stings, it doesn’t take away from what this team has accomplished over the last 6+ weeks. Iowa has gone 10-3, with two of the three defeats coming by a combined three points against teams ranked in the top-15 (and the third loss was in overtime).

2. A Defensive Identity

Iowa’s team identity during the Caitlin Clark era reflected its high-scoring superstar: an all-gas, no brakes offensive powerhouse. In the first year of the post-Clark era, the team’s identity swung back more towards the defensive side of the ball and that increased focus on defense was on full display on Friday night, as Iowa and Ohio State went toe-to-toe for 40 grinding and intense minutes.

The Buckeyes had the second-highest scoring offense in the Big Ten this year, averaging 80.0 ppg. On Friday, Iowa held them to just 60 points. The Hawkeyes limited Ohio State to 36.5% shooting from the floor, including a meager 35.5% on 2-point attempts (as well as 38.9% from beyond the arc). Those shooting numbers dipped to 27.3% from the field in the fourth quarter (though the Buckeyes did drain two of their seven three-pointers in the game in the back-and-forth final quarter).

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Iowa forced 14 Ohio State turnovers and turned those giveaways into 12 points. The Hawkeyes had five steals and blocked four shots in the game, with Kylie Feuerbach leading the team in both categories, with two apiece. Feuerbach was maybe the most spectacular individual defender on the night, but Iowa’s defensive success was truly a team effort. “I thought we knew our personnel pretty well. I thought our defensive schemes, I think they were always in the moment,” said Jansen.

Switching to a zone defense led to a lot of Iowa’s success, as Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff acknowledged. “They played zone defense the first time we played them, and we didn’t execute real well against it, and that gave us problems,” said McGuff.

“Late in the game we got better shots, but for a while there, we just kind of stood around and didn’t move ourselves, didn’t move the ball very effectively,” added McGuff. “Finally got it right at the end, but Iowa played really great defense tonight.”

Defense has been the backbone of Iowa’s mid-season turnaround and current 10-3 run — opponents eclipsed 70 points just twice in that run and one of those two games came in overtime. Locking down opponents created the platform for Iowa’s success in the Big Ten Tournament as well, as opponents averaged just 58.3 ppg in Iowa’s three tournament games. Maintaining that same defensive ferocity in the NCAA Tournament will be key to Iowa’s ability to put together any sort of run in this year’s tourney.

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3. Shining Stars, Old and New

Five players scored all of Iowa’s 59 points, with four players accounting for 88% (52) of Iowa’s points in the game. This was not a spread-it-around scoring effort; instead Iowa relied on its best players to carry the load — and they more or less did.

Lucy Olsen, Hannah Stuelke, and Sydney Affolter led Iowa with 14 points apiece, though all three scored their points at different points in the game. Olsen kept Iowa afloat early in the game, when no one else could manage to get the ball to go through the basket; she had seven points in the first quarter and 12 total in the first half — nearly half of Iowa’s 28 points in the first 20 minutes. Olsen wasn’t particularly efficient — those 12 points came on 5-of-15 shooting — but Iowa just needed someone to make shots and Olsen was one of the few who could in the opening half.

In the second half, Olsen had just two points on 1-of-3 shooting, as Ohio State’s defense increased its pressure on her and focused on shutting down her scoring. Still, while she scored just two points in the second half, she was still very influential on offense, dishing five assists to get Iowa’s offense rolling.

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Hannah Stuelke scored six of her 14 points in the second quarter as Iowa roared back into the game, then added six more in the third quarter as Iowa traded blows with Ohio State. Stuelke’s sharp cuts and smooth finishes around the basket helped pace Iowa’s offense in the middle of the game. She was also a force on the glass, hauling down 12 rebounds for her team-high seventh double-double of the season (and 11th of her Iowa career).

Meanwhile, Sydney Affolter scored nine of her 14 points in the second half — with six of those nine coming in the fourth quarter on back-to-back made three-pointers. Affolter’s huge made triples took Iowa from a 58-53 deficit to a 59-58 lead with just over a minute to go. For the game, Affolter was 4-of-5 from beyond the arc and made over half of Iowa’s three-pointers (7) for the entire game.

Olsen, Stuelke, and Affolter are familiar stars for Iowa, players who’ve produced at a high level several times this season (and in the past). But Friday night also saw the emergence of a newer star, as Ava Heiden followed up her breakthrough 11-point effort against Michigan State last night with a 10-point showing against the Buckeyes.

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“Ava’s been coming, right? In my opinion, in my coaching career, whatever chair I sit on, the timing of when you kind of unleash can make all the difference,” said Jensen after the game. “I think Ava’s done a lot, and she’s showed she’s ready for the moments.”

She certainly has done that; 21 points over two games on 8-of-10 shooting is a head-turning performance. Heiden’s skills were on full display in both games — her deft touch around the rim, her crisp footwork in the post, her dazzling speed and finishing ability in transition. She’s made an extremely compelling case, both for more minutes in however many games Iowa still has left in this season — and especially for what she can offer in upcoming seasons as she continues to unlock her considerable abilities.

NEXT: For the first time since the 2019-20 Big Ten Tournament, Iowa won’t be playing on the weekend. Iowa had played in the last four Big Ten Tournament finals, winning the last three. Now Iowa will wait to see what seed they receive in the 2025 NCAA Tournament — and where they’ll be headed to play a first round game. The 2025 NCAA Tournament Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, March 16 at 7 PM CT and will be televised by ESPN.



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Former Ohio State 5-star corner Aaron Scott Jr. lands at Big Ten rival

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Former Ohio State 5-star corner Aaron Scott Jr. lands at Big Ten rival


Former 5-star commit Aaron Scott Jr. has found his new landing spot, and it’s with a rival in the Big Ten. According to an announcement made on social media by Hayes Fawcett, Scott will continue his career with the Oregon Ducks.

Originally from Springfield, Ohio, Scott committed to the Buckeyes over Michigan and others in the class of 2024 as one of the best corners in the country. At the time, it was expected that he could be a big part of the future of the defensive backfield in Columbus. And while Scott received some playing time, he had yet to break into the starting lineup through the first couple of seasons and will have two seasons remaining at Oregon.

Scott had 11 tackles and 1 pass defended through his sophomore season and was expected to be in-line to compete for a starting spot at cornerback next season. It was a surprise when he entered the portal, and we may never really know what kind of situation and conversations occurred behind the scenes.

As a transfer, according to 247Sports, Scott is ranked as the No. 19 cornerback and 291st prospect. Oregon and Ohio State are scheduled to meet each of the next two years, but the Big Ten schedules have not been set when it comes to dates and times

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We’ll continue to track the comings and goings of players in the portal as we move forward until it all calms down.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.



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Northeast Ohio native Suzanne Conway brings experience back home to run Cain Park

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Northeast Ohio native Suzanne Conway brings experience back home to run Cain Park


CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — It all started at Cain Park for Suzanne Conway, who will now be returning to the historic amphitheater as its general manager.

City officials announced her hiring Friday (Jan. 16) with Conway starting next month at the oldest operating municipally-owned performing arts venue in the country.

Conway stated in a city press release that she looks forward to “returning to Cain Park, where I began my career all the way back in 1999, and where I first fell in love with live venue entertainment.”

A Northeast Ohio native, Conway brings a wealth of experience back home, having worked in recent years for the country’s largest music venue operator, the House of Blues (HOB).

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She has served as general manager at HOB Chicago and San Diego, as well as Director of Music Hall Operations for HOB Dallas.

Conway actually started in 2018 as the assistant general manager for HOB’s operation of Masonic Cleveland.

“After the incredible opportunities I’ve had to grow and do what I love all over the world, I am beyond proud to come home to Cain Park,” she added.

“I cannot wait to bring the best, most diverse live entertainment to Cleveland Heights.”

Her resume also includes early stints in patron services for Great Lakes Theater and a position at Cain Park as Assistant Operations Manager.

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Conway then branched into tour management for David Copperfield, film festival operations for Sundance, and managing theater companies at The Old Globe in San Diego.

“She returned for a second tour of duty at Cain Park as Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator,” the city press release noted, adding that her experience has not been limited to the entertainment industry.

“Ms. Conway also counts race director for Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio, as well as community development manager for the American Cancer Society’s Greater Cleveland Chapter among her career accomplishments,” city officials added.

As she steps into her role operating the entertainment complex at Cain Park, it will look like more of a renaissance than ever.

“Conway’s taking the helm at Cain Park comes at a time of great opportunity, driven in part by the city’s investment of over $5 million in infrastructure improvements,” largely through post-pandemic federal grants, officials said.

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The overhaul included seat replacements in the theater and amphitheater, upgrading the audio/visual system, completely renovating the artist and administration building, pavilion roof repairs and adding new lighting on paths and throughout the park.

“In addition, the city built amphitheater-style seating and improved ADA access to the park on its South Taylor end where reinvestment in the Cain Park Village plan continues,” the press release stated.

The work includes restoration of the Taylor Tudor buildings, a $25 million renovation of a mixed-use space near the park.

“We’re truly excited to welcome Suzanne Conway to manage Cain Park. She will arrive at a very exciting time for the city,” Cleveland Heights Mayor Jim Petras said.

Petras added that with unanimous approval from City Council, Cain Park’s 2026 production budget was doubled and the decision was made to elevate Cain Park to its own city department in the near future.

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“We were so impressed with her appreciation and reverence for Cain Park as a venue and as a community asset.”

Her salary has also been bumped up to a pay range in line with the city’s communications chief and parks and recreation director.

To learn more, log on to cainpark.com.

Read more from the Sun Press.



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Bodyguards for GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy didn’t have required Ohio licenses

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Bodyguards for GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy didn’t have required Ohio licenses


COLUMBUS, Ohio—During several of Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s recent public appearances, he was accompanied by at least two bodyguards who weren’t registered with the state as required by law, a cleveland.com analysis shows.

The revelation comes as the Columbus-area entrepreneur is moving to fire the Ohio company providing his security after one of his family’s bodyguards was arrested on federal drug‑trafficking charges.

Social-media photos posted by ARK Protection Group of Wayne County; Rpm Gazbpda. the company’s owner who describes himself online as Ramaswamy’s “head of security”; and Ramaswamy’s campaign depict at least two men with Ramaswamy’s security detail during recent events who state records show either had an expired Ohio security-guard license or no such license at all.

Under Ohio law, all security personnel – including personal bodyguards – have to be registered with the state and pass a background check, then renew that registration annually.

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They also need additional state certification in order to carry pistols, revolvers, or semi-automatic weapons on the job – which, among other things, requires at least 25 hours of firearms training.

If anyone’s caught working a security job without state permission, both they and their employer can face criminal charges, punishable with jail time and fines.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety, which regulates the state’s private security industry, can additionally fine violators $100 for each day they broke the law, as well as put offending security companies out of business.

However, photos posted by ARK Protection Group on Facebook and Instagram showed (and tagged) Christopher Endres at a Ramaswamy speech at the University of Cincinnati on Dec. 1. Other photos show Endres standing alongside Ramaswamy at Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, where Ramaswamy spoke on Dec. 20.

Endres’ state registration with ARK Protection Group expired in February 2024, according to Department of Public Safety spokesman Bret Crow.

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The company set its Instagram account to private on Friday.

Photos posted to Ramaswamy’s Instagram account on Jan. 12 show a second bodyguard, Jacob Owens, accompanying the candidate during a visit to Chillicothe. State records show no sign that Owens has ever been registered to work as security (Ohio does not recognize security-guard licenses or registrations from other states).

In an email, Crow stated that neither Endres nor Owens were included in ARK Protection Groups’ roster of private security guards that it submitted to the state.

Crow would neither confirm nor deny that state officials are investigating ARK Protection Group. However, Crow added that a post by D.J. Byrnes on his left-leaning blog, The Rooster, “contains real information.” The Rooster was first to report ARK Protection Group’s employee‑registration issues.

The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com has reached out to Owens for comment. Endres was briefly reached by phone Friday morning but hung up when a Plain Dealer/cleveland.com reporter identified himself.

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A third ARK Protection Group bodyguard for Ramaswamy’s family, Justin Salsburey of Bellefontaine, was arrested Dec. 30 on charges that he and his wife received and sold counterfeit OxyContin pills containing fentanyl, as well as Adderall pills. Salsburey’s security guard license expired last June, though it wasn’t immediately clear if he continued to provide security for Ramaswmay beyond then.

In a statement Friday, Ramaswamy campaign spokeswoman Connie Luck didn’t directly answer questions about how Ramaswamy came to hire ARK Protection Group, nor what vetting – if any – he did of the company or its employees before hiring them to protect him and his family.

“The Ramaswamy family’s contract with Ark Protection Group specifies the requirement to comply with all relevant laws and regulations,” Luck stated in response.

Luck added that “in light of last week’s deeply troubling developments,” Ramaswamy and his family have “begun the process of relieving Ark Protection Group of their responsibilities and transitioning to a new service provider,” Luck stated.

When Luck was asked whether the “troubling developments” only involved news of Salsburey’s arrest, she replied, “This decision was set in motion following last week’s developments.”

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Luck also provided a statement from Gazboda stating that he and his company “are sorry to have disappointed the Ramaswamy family.

“Their safety and protection remain our utmost priority, and we are supporting them as they transition to a new security service provider,” Gazboda says in the statement.

The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com has reached out to Gazboda for further comment and details.

While Ramaswamy was the most frequent public figure to show up on ARK Protection Group’s social-media accounts, he wasn’t the only one.

Other photos on the company’s Instagram account, as well as Gazboda’s Facebook account, showed the retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant with celebrities such as singer/rapper Jelly Roll and prominent conservative political leaders such as Donald Trump Jr., ex-U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and commentator Tucker Carlson.

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Theodore Owens, executive director of the Ohio Association of Security & Investigation Services, the state’s main trade group for private security services, said in a phone interview that he was “flabbergasted” to read about ARK Protection Group’s issues – first with Salsburey’s arrest, and now with its registration issues.

“I hate to say this, but it makes the whole industry in Ohio now look bad,” said Owens, who’s not related to Jacob Owens. “I wish you could see me, because I’ve got my face in the palm of my hand right now.”

ARK Protection Group is not a member of Owens’ trade group, and Owens – a 20-year veteran of Ohio’s private security industry — said he hadn’t heard of the company before reading about Salsburey’s arrest last week.

Owens said his organization has already been working with state lawmakers – he declined to say exactly who – to introduce legislation later this year to update Ohio’s regulations for private security personnel – from creating new standards for training and firearms qualification to cracking down on security companies that pay employees under the table (which means the employees aren’t eligible for workers’ compensation if they’re attacked or hurt on the job).

Owens said hearing about ARK Protection Group’s issues has motivated him to push even harder to get those reforms in place.

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“I’m like, ‘Yeah, we need to talk to our legislators again and really start working on this,’” he said.





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