Jaloni Cambridge’s clutch play leads No. 19 OSU past No. 8 Maryland

Ranked showdowns in women’s college basketball not only capture national spotlight but also have the power to reshape conference dynamics, and Sunday’s clash was no different. Jolani Cambridge scored 28 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and recorded eight assists as No. 19 Ohio State scored a huge conference road win over No. 8 Maryland by the score of 89-76 on Sunday afternoon at the Xfinity Center.

Oluchi Okananwa ignited the scoring for Maryland (16-2, 4-2 Big Ten) with a blitz of two consecutive three-point plays that electrified the crowd. Ohio State (15-2, 5-1) quickly countered, with Kylee Kitts silencing the momentum with a sharp three-point shot of her own. But Maryland erupted once more with back-to-back three-pointers from Yarden Garzon, propelling the Lady Terps to a commanding 14-5 lead at the first media timeout. Continuing their relentless pressure, Maryland forced turnovers and capitalized on fast-break opportunities, extending their lead to 24-12 by the end of the first quarter.

Okananwa scored her 1000th career point in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Ohio State started to get back in the game with a steal and a basket by Chance Gray. Still, after the second-quarter media timeout, Maryland regained control of the game, though the score would suggest otherwise. Maryland started turning the ball over, and Ohio State went on a run with the play of the Cambridge sisters. Maryland had a key basket by Garzon before the end of the half.

Maryland led 42-40 at halftime. In the first half, Maryland shot 53 percent from the field, while Ohio State shot 37 percent. However, Maryland committed 10 turnovers to Ohio State’s six.

In the third quarter, Okananwa committed her third foul, and someone needed to step up while she was off the floor as Ohio State took its first lead of the game. Kylee Kitts recorded a three-point play to put the Lady Buckeyes up by four at 52-48. After the third quarter media timeout, Garzon made her fifth three-pointer of the game to tie the contest. Maryland hit a few three throws to take the lead after they got to the bonus, but Chance Gray’s three-pointer put OSU on top 61-59 entering the fourth quarter.

To start the fourth quarter, the teams traded baskets for the first few minutes, with Ohio State maintaining its slight advantage thanks to Cambridge and Kitts’ clutch shotmaking. Cambridge took over the game midway through the fourth, significantly increasing her usage rate and elevating Ohio State’s points per possession. Her dominant performance included scoring 10 of her 28 points in this quarter alone, underscoring her role in the turnaround. She put in the dagger basket to put OSU up 81-69, sealing the game for the Buckeyes.

The difference in the game was OSU scoring 22 points off turnovers to Maryland’s 10, and Maryland shooting 33% from the three-point line compared to OSU’s 50% from three, going 11-for-22.

Kitts scored 18 points, while Kennedy Cambridge added 14 points for OSU. Gray also scored in double figures with 11 points. Okananwa led Maryland with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Garzon scored 18 points and eight rebounds. Rainey Wilson added 12 points off the bench.