Ohio State Triumphs Over Wisconsin
In a commanding performance, Jaloni Cambridge propelled No. 11 Ohio State to a convincing 81-58 victory over Wisconsin on Thursday night, showcasing her talent with 29 points, of which 21 came in a phenomenal second half. Additionally, Elsa Lemmila contributed significantly with a double-double, logging 14 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks. This triumph marks Ohio State’s fifth consecutive win against Wisconsin, extending their advantage in the overall series to 57-18.
Game Highlights
With the Buckeyes’ record rising to 19-3 and 8-2 in Big Ten play, the team’s depth was evident as Chance Gray chipped in with 10 points. Cambridge’s explosive final moments of the third quarter saw her net 13 points in just over four minutes, including a crucial three-pointer during a 19-6 scoring surge that turned the game around, handing Ohio State a 56-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Cambridge continued her offensive momentum, hitting a layup, a jumper, and another three-pointer that widened the gap to 18 points with 8:27 left on the clock. For Wisconsin, Destiny Howell was the standout player, scoring 29 points on an impressive 11-of-16 shooting, including five from beyond the arc. The Badgers started strongly, leading 23-17 at the close of the first quarter, aided by two early threes from Howell. However, they struggled in the second quarter, managing just five points, while Ohio State roared back to outscore them 52-30 in the second half, marking the Buckeyes’ seventh occasion this season of exceeding 50 points in a half.
Injury Update and Upcoming Matches
Ohio State’s efforts were somewhat hampered by the absence of 6-foot-4 freshman Kylee Kitts, who has been sidelined for three consecutive games due to a shoulder injury. Kitts, who transferred from Florida after redshirting last season, had made a significant impact before her injury, averaging 9.3 points and leading the team with 7.1 rebounds per game in the first 19 matches.
Looking ahead, Ohio State is set to host Nebraska on Sunday, while Wisconsin will prepare to welcome Indiana on Wednesday.
