Ohio State Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over Southern California
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — In an exhilarating matchup on Sunday, the No. 10 ranked Ohio State women’s basketball team triumphed over Southern California with a final score of 88-83. This victory marked a significant comeback, driven by the stellar performance of Jaloni Cambridge, who scored 33 points, including 16 in a decisive fourth quarter. Cambridge’s impressive game included shooting 12 of 21 from the field and sinking 8 of 9 from the free throw line, marking her fifth game this season with 30 or more points.
Game Highlights
Ohio State’s win broke a two-game losing streak, leading them to a record of 23 wins and 5 losses, with an 11-4 record in conference play. Cambridge contributed not only in scoring but also defensively, racking up three steals and playing a pivotal role in forcing USC into committing 25 turnovers, its highest of the season.
Southern California had been riding a six-game winning streak but found themselves halted by this tough Ohio State squad. The Trojans’ Jazzy Davidson put forth a notable effort, scoring a season-high of 32 points, including six three-pointers, before fouling out in the final seconds of the game with just 1.1 seconds on the clock. Davidson also contributed six rebounds and four assists to her team’s effort. Alongside her, USC’s Kennedy Smith scored 18 points while Dayana Mendes added 13 points.
Competitive Clash
The clash was intensely competitive, featuring 13 lead changes and six ties throughout the game. USC initially led the score at 65-61 early in the fourth quarter, but Ohio State seamlessly transitioned into a 15-0 run, a crucial moment that helped them regain control. During this stretch, Cambridge scored seven points, and Ohio State showcased excellent shooting, going 5 of 7 from the field, while USC struggled and failed to score in the same quarter until the game was nearly out of reach.
As time dwindled, USC finally found a rhythm, closing the gap to 86-83 on a last-minute three-pointer from Mendes. However, Cambridge confidently sealed the game by hitting two free throws after being fouled by Davidson, solidifying the score at 88-83.
Looking Ahead
Ohio State’s proficiency from the charity stripe also played a key role in their success, finishing 23 of 28 on free throw attempts, marking their highest of the season.
Looking ahead, Southern California will face Penn State on Wednesday, whereas Ohio State prepares for a showdown against No. 6 Michigan on the same day.
Stay tuned for updates on the AP Top 25 rankings throughout the season. AP women’s college basketball news and insights continue to evolve.
