Ohio State coach Jim Foster summed up his team's performance best when he stated matter-of-factly, "They just kicked our butts, that's what happened."
Foster's No. 8 Buckeyes were routed by the 11th ranked Penn State Lady Lions (22-5, 11-3 Big 10) 84-66, who claimed their first Big Ten title since 2004 with the victory.
Junior post anchor Nikki Greene was PSU's leading scorer with 25 points and 15 rebounds, one of three Penn State players with a double-double.
"There are no words," Greene said. "It's amazing, just amazing. We just worked so hard to get here."
Penn State led by 15 at the half, and never let Ohio State get within 13 the rest of the way, stifling OSU on the boards and with second chance opportunities.
"This might be the worst we rebounded (in) my life," offered Foster, "and certainly the least competitive."
Penn State clinched the No. 1 overall seed in the Big Ten Tournament, which begins next week in Indianapolis.
Penn State coach Coquese Washington wasn't as excited about stats and figures as she was for what the win meant to the university as a whole, a real bright spot among the dark past few months.
"It means a lot to me for Penn State to have this experience, especially this year and all that our university community has gone through."
Washington continued, "There's a lot of good here at Penn State; there's a lot of things right. And all year long, we tried to be one of the shining examples of what 'Success with Honor' means. I'm glad that our community is able to share this moment with us."
Samantha Prahalis had 16 points and 8 assists for Ohio State.
Maggie Lucas and Mia Nickson added double-digit points and rebounds for Penn State.
At a loss for words, Nickson said Penn State was just in the "right place at the right time".
"And they're beasts inside," Lucas added. "I don't think it's just right place at the right time."
Ohio State fell to 23-4 overall and 10-4 in conference play and will receive the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
