Ohio State Women’s Basketball Advances with Cotie McMahon’s Leadership

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s basketball team is gearing up for its NCAA Tournament opener after finishing the regular season with a 25-6 record. The Buckeyes, seeded No. 4 in their region, will face No. 13 seed Montana State on Friday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. ET at Value City Arena, marking their 29th appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Under the leadership of junior Cotie McMahon, who earned an Honorable Mention from the Associated Press for the second consecutive year, Ohio State is ready to make a competitive push after recently reaching the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. “We all need to give it our all,” McMahon said. “I believe in this team, and we can achieve great things together.”

McMahon has stepped up significantly as a leader this season, especially following the graduation of former standout Jacy Sheldon. “Cotie plays with such emotion that her teammates naturally gravitate toward her,” said Ohio State head coach. “She brings a unique energy that everyone can feed off of.”

In the context of recent games, the Buckeyes fell short against UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals but carry valuable experience into the NCAA Tournament.

Montana State enters this matchup with a remarkable 30-3 record, having dominated the Big Sky Conference. They secured a championship title after clinching a thrilling buzzer-beater victory over Montana. “Montana State is strong, but we can compete at their level,” McMahon noted.

The Bobcats’ impressive defense has made waves, averaging 14.6 steals per game and ranking 16th nationwide in limiting opponents to 55.5 points per game. Players to watch include Esmeralda Morales and Marah Dykstra, who lead the team in scoring.

Amid the team dynamics, McMahon’s individual achievements reflect her growth as a player. Averaging 16.6 points per game and leading the team in minutes played, she’s been central to Ohio State’s success. Earlier this season, during pivotal games against Minnesota and Iowa, her performance helped the Buckeyes secure overtime victories.

Additionally, McMahon’s commitment to improving her game was evident as she trained with USA Basketball’s youth 3×3 team, winning gold medals at international competitions. “Every experience shapes my game and I’m excited to leverage that in the tournament,” she said.

As the Buckeyes prepare to face Montana State, the emphasis remains on teamwork and unity. With the excitement building in Columbus, fans are eager to support their team’s pursuit of NCAA success. “The energy in the arena will be electric,” McMahon added.