No. 9 Ohio State women’s basketball (22-3) defeated Oregon (18-8) 80-64 in their second game on the West Coast.
Here are three takeaways from the Buckeyes‘ road victory:
Kennedy Cambridge’s offense matches her defense
Guard Kennedy Cambridge is Ohio State’s top defensive player this season, averaging 4.16 steals, which is third in the nation.
Advertisement
More: No. 9 Ohio State women top Oregon to go undefeated on West Coast
However, among the Buckeyes’ regular starters, Cambridge has the lowest scoring average at 9.1 points per game.
Against Oregon, Cambridge recorded her second eight-steal performance, but also hit 20 points and a career-high five 3-point baskets.
Ohio State’s Kennedy Cambridge averages 4.16 steals per game.
All of Cambridge’s steals came in the first half, allowing the redshirt junior to focus on her offense after halftime, with 12 of her points coming in the second.
Forward Kylee Kitts returns as center Elsa Lemmila continues to improve
Forward Kylee Kitts was available for the first time since injuring her right shoulder against TCU on Jan. 19.
Advertisement
She came off the bench and was unable to make an impact, going scoreless and grabbing just one rebound.
Even without Kitts getting to her average 8.9 points and 6.8 rebounds, the Buckeyes still outplayed Oregon down low, scoring 34 points in the paint compared to the Ducks’ 18. Ohio State also outrebounded Oregon 35-32.
Ohio State center Elsa Lemmila had a career-high 23 points and notched nine boards against Oregon.
That’s due to the play of center Elsa Lemmila, who went up against Oregon forward Mia Jacobs most of the night.
Lemmila finished with a career-high 23 points and notched nine boards, both above her season averages.
Ohio State finishes its West Coast trip strong
Of the 11 Big Ten teams from the East and Midwest that have made the two-game West Coast road trip, only Ohio State and Michigan State have finished undefeated.
Advertisement
While the Buckeyes needed until the fourth quarter to secure their 70-60 victory over No. 24 Washington on Feb. 5, Ohio State took full control of the matchup against Oregon by halftime.
And the Buckeyes looked better as the game went on at Matthew Knight Arena, even though Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff considered the trip long and challenging.
Ohio State women’s basketball improved to 22-3 with an 80-64 win at Oregon.
The Ducks never came within seven points during the second half, as three Buckeyes scored over 10 points across those 20 minutes.
Ohio State returns to the Schottenstein Center to face No. 22 Maryland on Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State women’s basketball defeats Oregon: 3 takeaways
