No. 10 Ohio State women’s basketball (23-5) ended a two-game skid by defeating USC (17-10) on Feb. 22 at the Schottenstein Center.
Here are three takeaways from the Buckeyes 88-83 victory over the Trojans:
Advertisement
More: No. 10 Ohio State women avoid third consecutive loss, defeat USC
Ohio State improves rebounding, collective scoring vs USC
The glaring issue in Ohio State’s back-to-back losses to No. 14 Maryland and No. 23 Minnesota was rebounding. The Buckeyes were outrebounded by at least 13 in both games, and against the Terrapins, OSU lost the battle on the offensive boards 22-8.
Things weren’t quite so lopsided against the Trojans. And while USC recorded two more rebounds than Ohio State (29-27), the two teams finished an even 9-9 on the offensive glass.
Ohio State forced 25 turnovers, an improvement from the 18 turnovers they forced against the Terrapins and markedly better than the nine times they caused the Gophers to give up the ball.
Ohio State’s Elsa Lemmila and USC’s Kennedy Smith compete for a rebound during the Buckeyes’ 88-83 win on Feb. 22.
Each Buckeye starter scored in double-digits USC, so having a stronger collective offensive outing was another area of improvement from the losses.
Advertisement
Guards Jaloni Cambridge and Chance Gray accounted for 69.1% of Ohio State’s 136 points in those two defeats, as the other starters Kennedy Cambridge, Elsa Lemmila and Ava Watson combined for just 32 points. Against USC, those three totaled 34 points.
Ohio State capitalizes on strengths while guarding USC’s taller lineup
USC, like Ohio State, relies on a guard-heavy lineup, though the Trojans’ four starting guards stand an average 5-foot-10, compared to the Buckeyes’ 5-foot-8.
Kevin McGuff said the Buckeyes were prepared to defend USC’s “long” guards, and he was happy with how they utilized their speed to grab 11 steals.
Advertisement
The Buckeyes’ quickness helped propel a 10-0 Ohio State run in the fourth quarter. USC’s two turnovers during the stretch led to four points.
Ohio State’s Kennedy Cambridge is averaging four steals a game.
In the fourth quarter, 6-foot-1 freshman guard Jazzy Davidson attempted to keep the Trojans in the game with 12 points, but Davidson also committed four turnovers.
Ava Watson continues earning starting role through defensive performance
Guard Kennedy Cambridge is the Buckeyes top defender, averaging four steals a game, making her the fourth-best nationally in that category. Right behind Cambridge in terms of defensive ability is Watson.
Upon Kylee Kitts being sidelined for five games due to a shoulder injury, Watson was slotted into the starting lineup and has kept the spot even after Kitts returned.
Advertisement
Watson thrives in the press and is tied with Jaloni Cambrige for second on Ohio State in average steals at 2.0. Watson also brings strength to Ohio State’s half-court defense.
Ohio State’s Eva Watson defends USC guard Kennedy Smith. Watson’s other defensive assignment was Jazzy Davidson and she and Smith combined for 12 turnovers.
Against USC the, 5-foot-8 Watson was assigned to defend both Davidson and 6-foot-1 guard Kennedy Smith at different points. The two Trjoans ended up combining for 12 turnovers.
The Buckeyes have two games left in the regular season, first with a home matchup against No. 6 Michigan (22-5) on Feb. 25. Tipoff for that game is set for 8 p.m. Then OSU closes things out with a road game versus Michigan State on March 1.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State women’s basketball defeats USC in Big Ten play: Takeaways
