Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s run in the Big Ten Tournament came to an abrupt end as the No. 13/12 ranked and No. 3 seeded Buckeyes fell to No. 4 ranked and No. 2 seeded UCLA in a 75-46 defeat. Despite a season filled with impressive performances, the Buckeyes struggled to keep pace with the Bruins, who executed their game plan to perfection.
UCLA set the tone early, jumping out to a 22-8 lead after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 44-21 at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, the deficit had grown to 67-30, leaving Ohio State little room for a comeback. The Buckeyes managed to close the game with a 10-0 scoring run, but it was too little, too late as the Bruins secured their spot in the Big Ten championship game.
Jaloni Cambridge was the lone Buckeye in double figures, finishing with 10 points. Cotie McMahon and Ajae Petty contributed with key baskets, but overall, Ohio State’s offense struggled against a disciplined UCLA defense. On the defensive side, the Buckeyes forced 16 turnovers and recorded nine steals, adding to their season total of 382 steals—the third-most in program history.
This marked Ohio State’s third Big Ten semifinal appearance in the past four seasons, an impressive feat that speaks to the program’s consistency. The matchup was also the first postseason meeting between the Buckeyes and Bruins and their first time facing off at a neutral location.
Despite the disappointment, the Buckeyes still have their eyes set on the bigger picture—the NCAA Tournament. With Selection Sunday approaching on March 16, Ohio State awaits its seeding and next opponent as it looks to make a deep postseason run. While the loss to UCLA stings, this team has shown resilience all season, and they will have an opportunity to bounce back on the national stage.
