No. 21 Ohio State women’s basketball returned to the Schottenstein Center for the third straight midmajor game of the current nonconference run. This time, against the Norfolk State Spartans of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference. A double-double by forward Kylee Kitts led the Buckeyes in a convincing 79-45 that featured more intensity for head coach Kevin McGuff’s side.
First quarter
Lately, the criticism of the Buckeyes is taking the first quarter off. Norfolk State got off to a four-point lead from the jump ball, but Ohio State scored 14 of the next 16 points.
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The three-point shot fell more than usual in the first 10 minutes. Ohio State made three, which matched the total against the Toledo Rockets on Sunday, and one less than the previous two games before it. At the end of the quarter, the Buckeyes had a 10-point lead, forced seven turnovers, and out-rebounded the Spartans 16-10.
Second quarter
Ohio State’s half-court defense held the Spartans to 28.6% during the first quarter, so the visitors tried to respond by getting up shots before the Buckeye defense returned from the press. Norfolk State had two quick layups because of it, but the Buckeyes matched each shot and continued to turn the Spartans over. Forward Kylee Kitts was the aggressor of the offense and scored six of the first eight points for Ohio State.
Also, for the second consecutive quarter, Norfolk State had seven turnovers. The Buckeyes added six points off turnovers in the second period and continued to build on their lead. Ohio State built a 22-point lead by halftime, and that allowed McGuff freedom with his roster, and all 11 players saw multiple first-half minutes.
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Kitts and point guard Jaloni Cambridge led Ohio State with nine points apiece of the 43-21 halftime lead, but eight players added to that total, including six points for center Elsa Lemmilä, who played her most aggressive half of basketball this season.
Third quarter
The Buckeyes ended the first half on a six-point run and stretched it to 12 points at the start of the third quarter. Consecutive turnovers for the Spartans in the first two minutes of the quarter turned into fast-break points for Ohio State and continued to balloon.
However, McGuff made a hockey line change, and Norfolk State responded with its best sustained offense of the game to that point with a six-point run. Freshman guard Dasha Biriuk thrived offensively with a team-high five points in the quarter. Included was a three-point shot that pushed Ohio State to five in the game.
Fourth quarter
The starters took the court for the start of the fourth quarter but left for another full swap of players with 6:55 remaining. At that point, Ohio State held a 28-point lead, and the most exciting element of the game for the fans in the arena was a potential “67” moment.
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Guard Ava Watson rewarded the fans with a midrange jumper, and the young fans in the crowd who knew what it meant all moved their arms up and down in excitement. Included in that was Kitts and guard Kennedy Cambridge.
Number of the game: 19
The Buckeyes were not only aggressive in the turnover margin but Ohio State played stronger on the boards, especially on offense. Ohio State grabbed 19 offensive rebounds in the win. Although it is not a season high, who got the rebounds reinforced the extra intensity from the Buckeyes.
Kitts and Jaloni Cambridge each grabbed five offensive rebounds in the victory, the tallest and shortest starting players for McGuff.
Key performers
Ohio State
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Kylee Kitts: 13 points, 10 rebounds
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Jaloni Cambridge: 11 points, 8 rebounds
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Norfolk State
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Ciara Bailey: 10 points, 11 assists
Up Next
The long non-conference season is almost behind the Buckeyes. On Monday, the Western Michigan Broncos head to the Schottenstein Center to put an end to the mid-major opponents for the 2025-26 season. Ohio State is 8-1 all-time against Western Michigan, and the sides have not played each other since Dec. 14, 2014.
After Monday’s game and the Christmas holiday, the first of the remaining 17 conference games tips off Sunday, Dec. 28, 202,5 against No. 4 UCLA.
