Ohio State Buckeyes forward Cotie McMahon Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Historic UConn streak ends in women's Sweet 16

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/25/23

The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes advanced to the Women's Elite Eight on Saturday, snapping a historic NCAA Tournament streak after downing No. 2 UConn, 73-61 in the Sweet 16.

Ohio State's win ends an impressive stretch for UConn. The Huskies will miss the Elite Eight for the first time in 16 years. Meanwhile, UConn's consecutive Final Four appearances run is over after 14-straight seasons.

The Huskies fall to Ohio State 73-61 in the Sweet 16.

The loss snaps a 16-year streak for UConn making the Elite 8, and snaps a 14-year streak of making the Final Four, both the longest streaks in men's or women's NCAA Tournament history. https://t.co/emwBcS0EnM pic.twitter.com/5PlcXLyFPy
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 25, 2023

After the game, head coach Geno Auriemma spoke candidly with reporters regarding the streak and its end.

"The problem with streaks is the longer they go, you're closer to it ending than you are to the beginning of it and it's just a matter of time," Auriemma said via Sportsnet New York.

The Huskies held a slim two-point advantage after one quarter on Saturday, but the Buckeyes took control thanks to an offensive eruption in the second stanza. Ohio State outscored UConn 21-9, taking a 36-26 lead into the halftime break. According to ESPN Stats and Info, the Huskies faced a halftime deficit for only the sixth time ever in the NCAA Tournament.

The Buckeyes are BACK! Ohio State upsets UConn, 73-61 and punches their ticket to the Elite Eight #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ai9KtJnzKY
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 25, 2023

Ohio State kept the pressure on throughout the second half, keeping UConn at a distance en route to a 12-point win.

Cotie McMahon and Jacy Sheldon combined for over half of the Buckeyes' 73 points on Saturday.

McMahon recently stated that she wanted UConn "so bad" even before the season started. With the opportunity in front of her, McMahon took full advantage, scoring 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including two three-pointers.

Cotie McMahon called her shot, and she just scored 23 points to lead the Buckeyes to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1993!

"I Want UConn so bad"

After the Buckeyes beat North Carolina Cotie McMahon said she's wanted to play UConn all season. pic.twitter.com/okybXxJNGy
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) March 25, 2023

Meanwhile, Sheldon finished second on the Buckeyes in scoring with 17 points, adding seven boards and five assists.

Ohio State will take on the winner of No. 1 Virginia Tech/No. 4 Tennessee on Monday with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

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