The No. 13/12 Ohio State women's basketball team wrapped up its regular season in electrifying fashion on March 1, 2026, storming past No. 15/15 Michigan State with an 87-68 victory at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. This wasn't just another win for the Buckeyes—it was a record-breaking afternoon that saw them drain a program-best 18 three-pointers, cementing their status as one of the most dangerous perimeter shooting teams in the nation as the postseason approaches.
From the opening tip, the Buckeyes (24-6, 13-5 Big Ten) came out firing on all cylinders. Ohio State's defense set the tone early, holding the Spartans scoreless from the field for nearly seven minutes and limiting them to just nine points in the first quarter—matching Michigan State's lowest scoring quarter of the season. As the Buckeyes built a 23-9 lead after ten minutes, the Breslin Center crowd could only watch as Ohio State unleashed a barrage from beyond the arc.
"They shot the ball really well," said Michigan State coach Robyn Fralick after the game. "Coming in, a lot of how they win is forcing turnovers and attacking the paint. They shot the crap out of the ball. We've got to do a better job defensively with multiple efforts so those aren't just open and totally in rhythm 3s."
The second quarter saw Ohio State extend its dominance. Jaloni Cambridge, who would finish with a game-high 33 points, hit her third triple of the game to reach double figures early in the period. The Buckeyes continued on a devastating 15-0 run, pushing their lead to 38-11. By halftime, they had connected on 11 three-pointers and led 49-26, having out-rebounded the Spartans by 13 and shooting a blistering 61.1% from deep in the first half.
For Cambridge, the performance was a personal milestone. She made a career-high seven three-pointers and became the first player in the game to reach double figures, ultimately tallying her sixth 30-point game of the season. "It's a great day when I'm making 3s," Cambridge said. "That doesn't happen normally. So, I'm just proud of us for not letting up, for continuing to shoot those shots, miss or make. That's ultimately what we have to do." Cambridge closed out the regular season averaging a conference-high 23.4 points per game and now ranks ninth in program history for single-season scoring with 703 points.
While the Buckeyes' shooting stole the headlines, their defense was equally critical, especially as Michigan State mounted a third-quarter rally. The Spartans (22-7, 11-7 Big Ten) came out of halftime with renewed energy, outscoring Ohio State 22-13 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 14. Yet, the Buckeyes responded with timely steals and blocks to limit the damage. Kennedy Cambridge, who finished with 10 points, was a defensive force, notching five steals—including half of the team's third-quarter takeaways—and in the process set a new Ohio State single-season record with 120 steals. Her average of four steals per game ranks among the nation's best. "I'm really proud of her," Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. "She plays so hard on that end of the floor, and she takes such pride. You just don't get a lot of players these days that take pride in being such great defenders."
Elsa Lemmilä anchored the paint for Ohio State, recording her fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. She also swatted away three shots, bringing her career total to 124 blocks—tied for eighth in Buckeye history. All of Lemmilä's points came from inside, and her presence down low helped open up the perimeter for Ohio State's shooters. "We just were able to attack the paint," Jaloni Cambridge noted. "And they were all sinking in."
Chance Gray, another key cog in the Buckeye attack, matched Cambridge's seven triples and poured in 21 points, marking her 23rd double-figure outing of the season. Gray's sharpshooting was especially crucial in the second half as Michigan State tried to claw its way back into contention. The Buckeyes, who had averaged just 29.6% from three-point range in non-conference play, have now improved to 39% against Big Ten opponents—a testament to their growth and adaptability as the season progressed.
For Michigan State, the loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially after the NCAA committee had earlier placed them as a No. 14 overall seed in the upcoming tournament, with Ohio State at No. 16. Grace VanSlooten led the Spartans with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Rashunda Jones, returning from a foot injury, added 16 points and connected on four of seven three-point attempts. Ines Sotelo chipped in 11 points off the bench, but the Spartans could never fully recover from their sluggish start. The closest they came was a 13-point deficit with under eight minutes to play, but Ohio State's relentless offense and suffocating defense kept them at bay.
The Buckeyes' victory marked their fifth win over a ranked opponent this season—all away from Columbus—and extended their winning streak over Michigan State to eight games. It was also their ninth game this year with 20 or more assists, as they tallied 22 dimes, showcasing their unselfish, team-oriented style. Every Buckeye starter finished with at least nine points and three rebounds, underscoring the balanced attack that has become their calling card.
With the regular season now in the books, attention shifts to the Big Ten Tournament, set to tip off in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse from March 4 through March 8. The Buckeyes hold the fifth seed with a 13-5 conference record but could climb to the No. 4 seed and earn a coveted double-bye into the quarterfinals if Minnesota stumbles against Illinois later in the evening. For Michigan State, the focus will be on regrouping and making adjustments before their tournament opener on March 6.
The Buckeyes will look to carry their record-setting shooting and stifling defense into postseason play, while the Spartans aim to bounce back and make noise in Indianapolis. One thing's for sure: with performances like this, Ohio State has firmly established itself as a team to watch in March.