Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans, rejoice! The No. 12/11 Buckeyes (4-0) showed no mercy on Wednesday night, delivering a dominant 106-42 win over the Ohio Bobcats (1-3) in Athens. From the opening tip, it was clear this was Ohio State’s night as they showcased their firepower, depth, and potential in a blowout victory that felt like a statement of intent.
A Game That Was Over Before It Began
The Buckeyes wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring the first 17 points of the game while holding Ohio scoreless for over five minutes. Taylor Thierry kicked things off with a three-pointer, and by the end of the first quarter, Ohio State held a commanding 27-12 lead.
The second quarter was even more lopsided. The Buckeyes went on a 13-0 run and closed the half with an 11-0 burst to take a staggering 59-19 lead into the locker room. From there, it was cruise control, as Ohio State outscored the Bobcats 31-19 in the third and 16-4 in the fourth to seal their second 100-point game of the season.
Spreading the Wealth
Every Buckeye who stepped on the court made their mark, with six players scoring in double figures. Freshman Elsa Lemmilä was a standout, recording her first career double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds, both career highs. Jaloni Cambridge had an electric start, reaching double figures just five minutes into the game and finishing with 19 points.
Veteran Taylor Thierry contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds for her own double-double, while Chance Gray added 18 points, including two three-pointers. Ajae Petty (13 points) and Ava Watson (10 points) also played pivotal roles, with Watson recording a career-high in scoring.
Defense and Rebounding Dominate
Ohio State’s defense suffocated the Bobcats, forcing a season-high 32 turnovers and racking up 18 steals. The Buckeyes also owned the boards, pulling down a season-best 59 rebounds, with Lemmilä and Eboni Walker leading the charge.
Head coach Kevin McGuff was pleased with his team’s execution after a tougher-than-expected win over Belmont on Sunday. “We played hard against Belmont, but we didn’t execute well. Tonight, we were much better mentally and physically,” McGuff said.
Adjusting Without McMahon
The Buckeyes were without star forward Cotie McMahon, who suffered a lower leg injury in practice this week. In her absence, Kennedy Cambridge made her first start, joining her sister Jaloni in the lineup. While Kennedy scored just four points, her presence allowed Ohio State to build chemistry and test new rotations.
Thierry, a senior and team leader, acknowledged the adjustment. “Not having Cotie on the court means stepping up as a leader. I had to take on a bigger responsibility,” she said. Thierry slid into a power-forward role seamlessly, hitting three three-pointers early to set the tone for the Buckeyes.
What It Means Moving Forward
While Ohio State’s non-conference schedule might not boast marquee matchups outside of a Dec. 20 clash with Stanford, games like Wednesday’s provide valuable opportunities for growth. Players like Lemmilä showed development in confidence and skill, something that could pay dividends when Big Ten play begins.
McGuff summed it up best: “We have a lot of talent and potential, but with so many newcomers, it’s going to be a longer process. If we stay focused, this team can achieve tremendous things.”
Up Next
Ohio State returns home to face Bowling Green on Sunday at 1 p.m., a game that should give fans another look at the team’s potential as they prepare for tougher tests ahead.
For Buckeye Nation, Wednesday night was a glimpse of what this team could become — young, hungry, and full of promise. And if the Scarlet and Gray can continue to develop at this pace, the Big Ten and beyond should take notice.
