March Madness 2022: Joanne Allen-Taylor leads Texas over Ohio State and into Elite 8

Texas freshman guard Rori Harmon had 4 fouls, however coach Vic Schaefer knew he needed to put her again in for the closing minutes of the Longhorns’ Candy 16 contest in opposition to Ohio State.

She sank a jumper within the paint and two free throws that proved to be the margin of victory in Texas’ 66-63 victory on Friday evening, sending the Longhorns to the Elite Eight for the second yr in a row.

“The shot she made to place us up three was as huge as there may be,” Schaefer mentioned of Harmon, who completed with six factors. “Then she goes and makes two free throws. She’s simply totally different, in an actual particular means.”

Joanne Allen-Taylor scored 17 factors and Aliyah Matharu added 10 factors for Texas (29-6). The No. 2 seed within the Spokane Area has gained 14 straight video games since final shedding on Feb. 6 — the second-longest energetic streak behind Stanford.

“I needed to get some buckets for our group after we wanted them,” Allen-Taylor mentioned.

“She carried us tonight,” Schaefer mentioned of the senior.

Taylor Mikesell scored 19 factors and Jacy Sheldon had 17 for sixth-seeded Ohio State (25-7), which has not superior past the Candy 16 since 1993.

Sheldon mentioned Ohio State proved it was “top-of-the-line groups within the nation” and that it was a “nice season for us.”

Texas made 5 pictures in a row to construct a 60-50 lead within the fourth quarter, however the Buckeyes scored eight straight factors to drag inside two.

Lauren Ebo made a pair of free throws for Texas and Harmon’s basket lifted the Longhorns to a 64-61 lead with simply over a minute left.

Tanaya Beacham lower the Texas result in 64-63, and the Buckeyes known as trip with 28 seconds left. Sheldon missed a jumper on the following play and Texas rebounded. Harmon took a tough foul after getting the ball previous half court docket, then sank each free throws for a 66-63 lead with 10 seconds left.

A 3-point try by Beacham was blocked by freshman Aaliyah Moore as the sport ended.

Schaefer known as that block a “heck of a play defensively,” including, “whilst a freshman she may maintain her head in it.”

“I am so, so pleased with this group,” Schaefer mentioned. “They only gained their twenty ninth recreation, 14th in a row. They received by means of adversity.”

Texas took the primary lead of the sport, and the groups traded leads however the Longhorns have been up by two on the half. Allen-Taylor had 13 factors within the first half to steer all scorers.

Early within the third was a lot the identical till a 9-0 run — ignited by Allen-Taylor and capped by Matharu’s 3-pointer — put Texas forward 44-36.

Mikesell’s 3-pointer introduced Ohio State inside 44-43, however the Longhorns had constructed a 50-45 lead on the finish of the third quarter.

Buckeyes’ coach Kevin McGuff mentioned his group had an opportunity to tie within the closing seconds, however Moore “did a terrific job defending” the three.

“I am pleased with our battle,” McGuff mentioned. “We got here up quick in opposition to a terrific, nice Texas group. I am hoping this expertise offers us an opportunity to study and develop.”

BIG PICTURE

Ohio State: The Buckeyes got here in averaging 78.6 factors per recreation, eighth within the nation, however have been hampered by 43% capturing.

Texas: The Longhorns depend on a stress protection to disrupt their opponents, and permit simply 56.5 factors per recreation. They’re 25-1 this season when main at halftime.

UP NEXT

Texas will play Stanford, a 72-66 winner over Maryland, within the Elite Eight on Sunday.