Eric Boggs
In a thrilling showdown in Nashville, the No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball team showcased grit and determination, overcoming a late nine-point deficit to edge out Belmont 67-63. While the Buckeyes entered the matchup as favorites, the Bruins gave them everything they could handle, turning what might have seemed like a routine win into a hard-fought battle.
The Buckeyes started strong, with Chance Gray opening the scoring with a three-pointer. Though Belmont briefly took the lead, Ohio State’s defense clamped down, holding the Bruins without a field goal for the final 4:38 of the quarter. Cotie McMahon’s aggressive play led the charge, scoring 10 points in the period and helping Ohio State close the quarter up 20-16.
Ohio State surged ahead in the second quarter with a 9-0 run to build a 29-16 lead. However, Belmont refused to fold, hitting back-to-back threes and finishing the half on a 16-2 run to momentarily retake the lead. Key buckets from Ava Watson and Ajae Petty helped the Buckeyes head to halftime with a slim 36-32 advantage.
Belmont continued to battle in the third, tying the game early and finishing the quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 50-47 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Facing their largest deficit of the game at 59-50 with just over five minutes remaining, the Buckeyes found their spark. A 13-0 run fueled by suffocating defense and clutch plays from Jaloni Cambridge and Kennedy Cambridge gave Ohio State a 63-59 lead. After Belmont tied the game at 63 with 33 seconds remaining, Jaloni Cambridge delivered a game-sealing three-point play with 13 seconds left and drew a charge to secure the Buckeyes’ first road win of the season.
Junior forward Cotie McMahon was the backbone of Ohio State’s performance, scoring a season-high 21 points and making an impact in every facet of the game. McMahon’s scoring came from her signature drives to the basket, midrange jumpers, and a newfound three-point shot, showcasing her growth and maturity as the team’s leader. Despite briefly leaving the game after a hard fall in the first quarter, McMahon logged a full 40 minutes, embodying toughness and resilience.
“I really can’t take games off,” said McMahon. “I need to help my team, especially because we’re young. We have all the pieces we need, and I’m a big part of that. I’m here to do what I know I can do and what my team believes in me to do.”
McMahon wasn’t alone in her efforts. Ajae Petty grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds, anchoring the Buckeyes’ presence in the paint. Gray contributed 13 points, while Taylor Thierry added 11, and Jaloni Cambridge finished with 10, including the game’s decisive points.
After the game, McMahon and Cambridge reflected on the victory with smiles and laughter, emphasizing the collective effort. “At any point, any of us could have made that play,” Cambridge said. “The fact that everyone believed in me means a lot, and I proved I can step up when needed.”
Sunday’s win revealed the Buckeyes’ potential and their ability to face adversity head-on. With McMahon setting the standard and younger players stepping into big moments, Ohio State proved it has the resilience and depth to navigate a challenging season.
The Buckeyes now turn their focus to an in-state matchup against Ohio University on Wednesday, eager to build on this gritty win. With each game, Ohio State is learning more about its identity—and with McMahon leading the charge, the sky’s the limit for this team.
