Eric Boggs
The women’s basketball team endured one of its toughest defeats of the season, falling 71-61 on the road to an unranked Indiana squad. The game began at a rapid pace, with both teams exchanging baskets early. Ohio State and Indiana each tallied 11 points within the first three minutes, but while the Buckeyes struggled to find consistency, Indiana capitalized on its opportunities. Ohio State converted just three of its final 12 field goal attempts in the opening quarter, while Indiana shot an impressive nine-of-10 to establish a 26-17 lead by the end of the period.
Ohio State responded with urgency in the second quarter, opening with a 9-0 scoring run to even the contest. However, Indiana quickly regained control, closing the quarter on a 14-2 surge to take a 40-28 advantage into halftime.
Despite a second-half-opening three-pointer from Jaloni Cambridge—who led all scorers with 18 points—the Buckeyes were unable to mount a serious comeback. The Hoosiers extended their lead to 18 points by the end of the third quarter and maintained their grip on the game, ultimately securing a 10-point victory.
This loss adds to what has been an inconsistent February for Ohio State. The Buckeyes began the month with a victory over Washington but subsequently suffered consecutive road defeats against UCLA and USC. Even in their recent home wins over Minnesota and Iowa, the Buckeyes struggled to close out games, requiring overtime after squandering double-digit fourth-quarter leads in both matchups.
Despite the recent setbacks, Ohio State remains in strong position for a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament. However, with an 11-4 conference record, the Buckeyes are now tied for third place in the Big Ten standings alongside Illinois. Overall, Ohio State stands at 23-4 on the season.
The Buckeyes will aim to regain momentum on Sunday when they host Purdue at the Schottenstein Center, where they have been dominant with a perfect 13-0 record this season. Tip-off is set for noon, with the game set to air on Big Ten Network.
