Eric Boggs
The No. 9 Ohio State women’s basketball team extended their perfect season to 16-0 with an electrifying 69-60 victory over Oregon in their first-ever meeting in Columbus as Big Ten foes. The Buckeyes showcased resilience and dominance, highlighted by a stunning 27-0 run in the second quarter that turned a slow start into another statement win for the Scarlet and Gray at the Schottenstein Center.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, with Ohio State trailing 11-8 after 10 minutes. The slow start was quickly forgotten as the Buckeyes erupted in the second quarter, flipping the game on its head with their relentless defense and dynamic scoring. After falling behind 15-10 early in the period, Ohio State unleashed a 27-0 scoring run that left the Ducks reeling. The Buckeyes’ efficient shooting—10-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range—paired with a 12-6 rebounding advantage, allowed them to take a commanding 39-22 lead into halftime.
Taylor Thierry led the charge with a season-high 20 points, including three triples, while reaching a significant milestone with her 600th career rebound. Her composure in traffic and sharp shooting from beyond the arc were pivotal in the game-defining second quarter. Ajae Petty delivered a gritty performance with 13 points and a season-high 14 rebounds, notching her fourth double-double of the season and the 24th of her career. Jaloni Cambridge added 13 points, continuing her strong freshman campaign.
The third quarter was evenly matched, with each team scoring 21 points, as Ohio State maintained a steady 60-43 lead heading into the final period. Oregon made a push in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to just eight points late in the game. However, Thierry’s timely layups and Petty’s dominance on the boards helped the Buckeyes weather the Ducks’ rally and secure the victory.
This win marked Ohio State’s first run of 20 or more unanswered points since December 2024 and underscored their ability to dominate in all facets of the game. The Buckeyes shot an impressive 58.8% from the floor in the second quarter and held Oregon scoreless for over six and a half minutes during their game-changing run.
The Scarlet and Gray now turn their focus to their next challenge, a road game against Wisconsin on Thursday night. With their unbeaten streak intact and confidence soaring, Ohio State fans have plenty of reasons to believe this team is poised for a deep postseason run.
