Eric Boggs
Ohio State women’s basketball has achieved a remarkable milestone, completing the regular season without a single home loss. The Buckeyes secured their 15th home victory with an impressive 89-78 win over No. 23 Michigan State at the Schottenstein Center, maintaining their dominance on home court.
The Buckeyes’ offense continued its stellar form, scoring 54 first-half points, just one shy of their total from the previous game against Purdue, when they set the season record for most points scored in a half against a Big Ten opponent.
Jaloni Cambridge delivered a career-best performance, leading Ohio State with 33 points, while Kentucky transfer Ajae Petty had a standout game, posting 23 points on a flawless 11-for-11 shooting performance and securing 15 rebounds. The Buckeyes set the tone early, pouring in 31 points in the first quarter with a scorching 12-of-18 shooting start. Cambridge contributed 10 points in the opening frame as Ohio State established a seven-point lead.
Petty took control in the second quarter, tallying nine points and eight rebounds as Ohio State extended its lead to as many as 17 points before heading into halftime with a 54-41 advantage. Cambridge continued her dominance in the third quarter, scoring 14 points and punctuating the period with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Buckeyes a commanding 79-59 lead.
Michigan State mounted a late comeback attempt with a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter, trimming Ohio State’s lead to seven. However, the Buckeyes weathered the storm and reasserted control, finishing with a decisive double-digit victory.
With this win, Ohio State improved to 24-4 overall and 13-4 in Big Ten play, securing their fourth ranked victory of the season. The Buckeyes also locked in a top-four seed and a double bye for the upcoming Big Ten Tournament, set to take place next week in Indianapolis.
Looking to close out the regular season on a high note, the Buckeyes will face No. 19 Maryland on the road Sunday at 4:30 p.m. on FS1. Ohio State aims to complete a season sweep of the Terrapins, having previously defeated them 74-66 at home on January 23. With momentum on their side, the Buckeyes are poised to make a deep run in postseason play.
