Cambridge Powers No. 11 Ohio State to 81-58 Victory Over Wisconsin
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Ohio State continued its dominance over Wisconsin with an 81-58 win on Thursday night, fueled by a stellar second-half performance from Jaloni Cambridge, who scored 21 of her game-high 29 points after halftime. The Buckeyes improved to 19-3 overall and 8-2 in Big Ten play, extending their winning streak against the Badgers to five games.
Second-Half Surge Seals the Deal for Ohio State
After a closely contested first quarter, Ohio State took control of the game with a dominant second half. Trailing 23-17 at the end of the first quarter, the Buckeyes limited Wisconsin to just five points in the second, setting the stage for a 52-30 run after the intermission. This marked Ohio State’s seventh game this season with a 50-point second half, showcasing their offensive firepower.
Cambridge was particularly impactful during the comeback, scoring 13 points in the final four minutes and 18 seconds of the third quarter. A crucial 3-pointer from Cambridge capped off a 19-6 run, giving Ohio State a 56-45 lead heading into the fourth. She continued her scoring spree early in the final frame, adding a layup, a jumper, and another 3-pointer to extend the lead to 18 with 8:27 remaining.
Lemmila’s All-Around Performance Contributes to Victory
While Cambridge led the scoring, Elsa Lemmila delivered a standout performance with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks. Chance Gray also contributed to the Buckeyes’ offense, adding 10 points. The team’s collective effort proved too much for Wisconsin to overcome.
Howell Shines for Wisconsin in Defeat
Despite the loss, Destiny Howell led Wisconsin (13-9, 5-6) with an impressive 29 points, shooting 11-of-16 from the field and 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. The Badgers started strong, hitting four 3-pointers in the first five minutes, including two from Howell, and briefly held a nine-point lead after a jumper by Kyrah Daniels with 2:33 left in the first quarter. However, they were unable to maintain that momentum.
Buckeyes Face Nebraska, Badgers Host Indiana
Ohio State will look to continue its winning ways when it hosts Nebraska on Sunday. Wisconsin will return home to face Indiana on Wednesday.
Notably, Ohio State freshman Kylee Kitts, a key contributor earlier in the season, missed her third consecutive game due to a shoulder injury. Kitts, who previously redshirted at Florida, had started the first 19 games, averaging 9.3 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game. Her absence is a factor the Buckeyes will need to address as the season progresses.
