Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge Leads Upset Over Maryland with Stellar Performance

Sunday’s game was a wild ride. No. 19 Ohio State stunned No. 8 Maryland with an 89-76 upset in women’s college basketball.

Jaloni Cambridge stole the show, dropping 28 points and coming just shy of a triple-double—she grabbed nine rebounds and dished out eight assists. The Buckeyes now sit at 15-2, shaking things up in the Big Ten.

Maryland started strong and has had a solid season, but Ohio State’s late push—driven by Cambridge—proved too much for them to handle.

Jaloni Cambridge’s Stellar Performance

Jaloni Cambridge has been on fire this season. Against Maryland, she kept her hot streak alive with 28 points, including a dozen in the final quarter.

She nearly snagged a triple-double, adding nine rebounds and eight assists to her stat line.

Key Contributions

It wasn’t just Cambridge, though. Other Buckeyes stepped up in big moments:

• Kennedy Cambridge: Her clutch 3-pointer in the fourth quarter sparked a 13-2 run, giving Ohio State the edge.
• Kylee Kitts: She chipped in 18 points, steadying the offense when it mattered.
• Team Effort: The Buckeyes clawed back from a 15-point hole in the second quarter, showing real grit and balance.

Maryland’s Strong Season and Setback

Maryland came into the game with a 16-2 record and looked every bit the contender. Oluchi Okananwa poured in 27 points and hit the 1,000 career point milestone.

Still, this loss could complicate Maryland’s Big Ten title chase.

Challenges Ahead

Maryland now faces a tough stretch, with games looming against No. 21 Southern California and No. 4 UCLA. These matchups will really test their bounce-back ability.

Ohio State’s Season So Far

Ohio State’s only losses have come against top-five squads, UConn and UCLA. Beating high-ranked teams like Maryland shows they’ve got serious postseason potential.

Upcoming Games

Next up, the Buckeyes host Penn State on Wednesday night. It’s another chance to keep their Big Ten momentum rolling.

Game Analysis

This win showed just how tough and smart Ohio State can play. They trailed by 15 in the second quarter, but closed the gap by halftime and never let up.

Ohio State’s hot shooting from deep—hitting 50% on threes (11 of 22)—made a huge difference.

Key Statistics

• Rebounding Battle: The teams tied on the glass, 39-39.
• Turnover Margin: Ohio State forced 17 turnovers and only gave up 11, making Maryland pay for their mistakes.
• Clutch Shooting: Jaloni and Kennedy Cambridge knocked down key threes in the fourth, shutting the door on Maryland’s hopes.

Implications for the Big Ten

Ohio State’s upset shakes up the Big Ten standings. The race just got a lot more interesting.

Title Contenders

With this win, Ohio State looks like a real threat for the Big Ten crown. They know how to handle big moments, and nobody in the conference will take them lightly now.

Conclusion

Ohio State beat Maryland 89-76 in a game that really showed off the Buckeyes’ talent and grit. Jaloni Cambridge put on a show, and her teammates stepped up when it mattered.

Both Ohio State and Maryland have more hurdles ahead. Still, this game feels like one folks will talk about when they look back at the 2023 women’s college basketball season.

If you want more in-depth coverage, check out the full article on Fox Sports.