COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Kelsey Mitchell scored 45 points to help third-seed Ohio State beat No. 6 West Virginia 88-81 on Sunday to move to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

Mitchell, constantly battered by a West Virginia team determined to slow her down, made five 3-pointers and also was 18 for 22 from the foul line as the Ohio State moved to the Sweet 16 round for the eighth time. The 45 points was the fourth highest total ever in NCAA play.

Forward Shayla Cooper added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Buckeyes, who will play either Arizona State or Tennessee on Friday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Despite Mitchell taking charge, the determined – and larger – Mountaineers kept it from getting out of hand, out-rebounding the Buckeyes 46-37 and scoring 36 of their points in the paint. Bria Holmes led West Virginia with 21 points. Tynice Martin had 16 points and Teana Mudrow added 15.

The Buckeyes’ defense forced 27 West Virginia turnovers, leading to 40 points.

The game was knotted at 39 at the end of the first half, with Mitchell picking up 20 of her points, including three 3-pointers on four attempts. The Buckeyes led by five heading into the fourth quarter. They allowed the Mountaineers to get within three points with 3:28 left in the game, but another burst by Mitchell that included a pair of 3-pointers opened it back up.

TIP-INS:

Ohio State: Guard Ameryst Alston, who missed the tournament’s opening game with a wrist injury, saw significant playing time, but the Buckeyes second-leading scorer wasn’t a huge factor, contributing only six points.

West Virginia: West Virginia shot 48 percent from the field, compared with the Buckeyes’ 37 percent. …The Mountaineers got 46 of their points from their bench.

UP NEXT:

Ohio State: Plays winner of Arizona State-Tennessee game on Friday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

West Virginia: Season ends.