The No. 12-ranked Ohio State women basketball team (19-1, 8-1) proved their mettle in a fierce battle on the road, defeating Nebraska (15-5, 6-3) 72-66. The Buckeyes, after trailing for most of the first half, turned the tide thanks to an impressive performance from Taylor Thierry, who scored 23 points and hit key deep shots to lead Ohio State to victory.
The Cornhuskers, playing at home where they hadn’t lost in nearly a year, came out firing, looking every bit like a top-five Big Ten contender. Nebraska offense started strong, knocking down four of nine attempts from beyond the arc. However, Ohio State defense held firm, focusing on limiting center Alexis Markowski impact in the paint. Markowski led Nebraska in scoring during the first ten minutes, but the Cornhuskers struggled to grab offensive rebounds, leaving them vulnerable on the other end.
The battle between two standout freshmen, Ohio State Jaloni Cambridge and Nebraska Britt Prince, added to the intensity. Prince came out aggressive, forcing two turnovers and making life difficult for Cambridge, who had a tough first half. Cambridge missed her lone shot and turned the ball over three times, but the Buckeyes were resilient.
In the second quarter, Ohio State erased a four-point deficit before Nebraska went on an eight-point run. But then, Kennedy Cambridge made a jaw-dropping coast-to-coast layup, inspiring her team as they tightened up defensively. Ohio State ended the half on a high note, with a nearly buzzer-beating shot from Madison Greene that would have given the Buckeyes the lead until a review revealed Greene foot had stepped on the line, nullifying the three-pointer. The Buckeyes still managed a 39-38 lead at halftime.
The second half saw a back-and-forth battle. Ohio State tied the game three times, with senior guard McMahon leading the charge. After hitting a three-pointer, McMahon anticipated a pass, turning it into a fast break layup to give Ohio State a brief lead. A nine-point run sparked by multiple players, including Thierry hitting a crucial three-pointer, gave the Buckeyes a cushion. Kennedy Cambridge key layups and McMahon timely efforts kept Nebraska at bay.
Despite a quiet stretch from Jaloni Cambridge, who sat for much of the second half, Ohio State maintained their edge. However, Nebraska fought back with a seven-point run and made things tense in the final minutes. But when the Buckeyes needed it most, Thierry nailed a step-back three-pointer, her fifth of the game, to push Ohio State ahead for good.
The Cornhuskers had a chance to tie with 1:44 remaining, but Markowski missed two crucial free throws, and Ohio State sealed the victory with timely defense.
Thierry 23 points and seven rebounds were key, and McMahon contributed a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Both players also recorded three steals each. Nebraska Markowski led her team with 18 points but struggled on the boards, grabbing only six rebounds far below her usual production.
What’s Next
The Buckeyes return to Columbus on Sunday to face the Washington Huskies in a crucial matchup. Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff will look to settle the score against his former program, having split the last two meetings. The Huskies (4-4 Big Ten) are coming off a tough stretch, having dropped three of their last four games, including a Monday matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers. Washington star player, sophomore Sayvia Sellers, who leads the team with 16.6 points per game, will be a challenge for the Buckeyes defense.
