Ohio State women’s basketball is outside the top four in the Big Ten standings for the first time this season following an 88-86 overtime loss to Michigan on Feb. 25.
The Buckeyes (23-6) were already trending downward after dropping two of their three games going into the Michigan matchup, causing them to fall five spots to No. 13 in the latest AP poll.
Ohio State guard Ava Watson reacts after fouling out in overtime against Michigan Wolverines at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.
Ohio State is no longer in a position to earn a double-bye during the Big Ten tournament with a 12-5 conference record, and will need help on the final day of the regular season to climb back up in the standings.
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Ohio State closes out the regular season on the road against No. 15 Michigan State (22-6) on March 1.
More: No. 13 OSU women fall to No. 8 Michigan in overtime: Takeaways
Ohio State women’s basketball in Big Ten standings
The Buckeyes are ranked fifth in the Big Ten standings, sitting behind Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are also 12-5 in the conference, but hold the head-to-head tie-breaker, having defeated Ohio State 74-61 on Feb. 18.
The top four teams in the standings get a double-bye in the tournament. Those teams will tip off tournament action with quarterfinal games on March 6. The fifth through ninth seeds earn a bye to the second round on March 5.
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Unlike the men’s tournament, the women’s is sticking with a 15-team format instead of including all 18 from the conference.
Can Ohio State earn a double-bye for Big Ten tournament?
Ohio State still has the chance to earn a double-bye if Minnesota drops its final game against Illinois.
Ohio State guard Jaloni Cambridge shoots during the Buckeyes’ 88-86 overtime loss to Michigan on Feb. 25.
Big Ten women’s basketball standings
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Michigan State (22-6, 11-6)
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Northwestern (8-20, 2-15)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State women’s basketball falls in latest Big Ten standings
