No. 8 Ohio State (22-4) was handed its first upset loss of the season, falling to No. 20 Maryland (21-6) 76-75 on Feb. 15 despite holding a 19-point lead in the second quarter.
Here are three takeaways from the Buckeyes‘ loss at the Schottenstein Center:
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Ohio State’s rebounding troubles returned vs Maryland
Throughout the 2025-26 season, the Buckeyes have slightly improved their rebounding, averaging 37.8 after 25 games compared to last year’s 36.3.
More: No. 8 Ohio State falls to No. 20 Maryland in women’s basketball
The Buckeyes recorded 34 rebounds against Maryland and allowed the Terrapins to grab 47, which is tied for the second-most for an Ohio State opponent this season.
Maryland’s 22 offensive rebounds led to 17 second-chance points.
The Buckeyes’ post players struggled the most, with Elsa Lemmila and Kylee Kitts combining for just eight rebounds.
Saylor Poffenbarger of Maryland and Kylee Kitts of Ohio State compete for a loose ball on Feb. 15.
Two Maryland players, and Ohio State’s 5-foot-7 point guard Jaloni Cambridge, at least matched the combined total of rebounds from Lemmila and Kitts. Cambridge’s eight was the Buckeyes’ team-high.
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Jaloni Cambridge receives limited offensive support during second half
In addition to rebounds, Cambridge led Ohio State in scoring with 29 points and five assists, boosting her average to a team-high 22.8 points and 4.5 assists.
The Terrapins, who lost to Ohio State 89-76 in January, expected Cambridge to have a strong offensive outing in their second meeting and focused on shutting down her teammates.
Mir McLean of Maryland defends against Jaloni Cambridge of Ohio State on Feb. 15.
After the Buckeyes went 17 for 31 (54.8%) from the field in the first half, Maryland limited Ohio State to 10 for 28 (35.7%) during the second.
Cambridge accounted for half of the team’s second-half baskets, with four other Buckeyes scoring just 15 points.
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Ohio State fell short of multiple opportunities to avoid the upset loss
Ohio State had multiple chances to secure the victory even after the Terrapins pulled ahead by nine points with 5:24 remaining.
In the last two minutes, Ohio State outscored Maryland 6-0 to pull within a point but had the chance to score an additional 13. The Buckeyes missed three free throws during the stretch, as well as the buzzer-beater 3-pointer from Cambridge.
Maryland’s Oluchi Okananwa and Yarden Garzon (12) celebrate a win over Ohio State on Feb. 15.
Cambridge was given the ball above the logo with three seconds on the clock and opted to dribble left toward the middle of the court to take her shot, rather than closer to the basket.
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The Buckeyes’ next game is Feb. 18 at Minnesota (20-6).
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State women’s basketball defeated by Maryland: 3 takeaways
