After jumping out to a 7-2 lead against 3-seed Ohio State, 14-seed Buffalo struggled as the Buckeyes imposed their will and used a 22-1 run to open up a 48-23 halftime lead over the Bulls.
Kelsey Mitchell, who ranks fourth in the nation averaging more than 26 point per game, leads the Buckeyes with 17 points. Shayla Cooper added 11 and Asia Doss chipped in with 10 for OSU.
The Bulls are led in scoring by Joanna Smith, who has 11 at the break. No other player has more than four points for Buffalo.
Leading 11-8, UB went the final 5:11 of the opening quarter without a field goal and trailed 30-12 heading into the second.
Smith, along with Courtney Wilkins hit back-to-back triples to open the 2nd quarter as the Bulls used an 8-2 run to pull within 32-20.
But, the Buckeyes full-court press and length continued to disrupt the Bulls offensive flow as they shot just 24 percent in the first half.
Despite a hard fought effort the Bulls fell to the Buckeyes. Final score 88-69, Ohio State.
