No. 11 Ohio State women outlast Wisconsin despite rough first half

by January 30, 2026

written by January 30, 2026

Outside of team-leading scorer Jaloni Cambridge, no player on the No. 11 Ohio State women’s basketball team made more than six baskets from the field in an 81-58 victory over Wisconsin on Jan. 29 at the Schottenstein Center.

The Buckeyes got back in the win column following a 91-70 loss to No. 8 Iowa four days earlier. However, Ohio State got off to another rocky start, falling behind as many as nine points before taking a 29-28 lead into halftime.

Ohio State’s defense was the main factor in the comeback, as Wisconsin committed 25 turnovers, the most the Buckeyes have forced in Big Ten play this season.

“I think we were very poised toward the end of the game,” Cambridge said. “Just them down low in the shot clock, and even in our 22 [press], getting 10 seconds called. Just being better in the second half, and as the game went on, to take pride in our defense.”

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) dribbles the ball against Wisconsin Badgers guard Ronnie Porter (13) in the first half of the NCAA basketball game at Value City Arena on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

The defense made up for the Buckeyes’ lackluster shooting during the first half. While Ohio State shot 46.3% (31 for 67) from the field for the game, its first-half accuracy was 32.4% (11 for 34).

With forward Kylee Kitts still unavailable with a shoulder injury, guard Ava Watson got her third starting nod. Watson led the Buckeyes in steals, grabbing four of their eight.

“Ava’s done a great job,” Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. “She’s a very intelligent player. … She makes a lot of great plays on offense, but she’s also really good in our press. And it changes our lineup, because we have to play a lot smaller, but I think Ava’s really handled herself really well.”

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Cambridge scored a team-high 29 points, going 12 for 21 (57.1%) and helping center Elsa Lemmila create the bulk of the OSU offense before halftime. The duo accounted for all but two of the Buckeyes’ points in the opening quarter and combined for 17 first-half points.

After falling behind 23-17 in the first quarter, in part due to Wisconsin shooting hitting five of seven shots from beyond the arc, Ohio State started the second with Cambridge on the bench.

Cambridge picked up her second foul in the final seconds of the first quarter, leading McGuff to leave her on the bench until there was 5:32 remaining in the half.

“She plays so aggressive, she’s going to get some fouls,” McGuff said. “She got one 90 feet from the basket, and another one where she fouled a jump-shot shooter. Some of those are a little more controllable than others, and really what I want her to focus on is getting rid of the ones she can control.”