Ohio State Defeats Michigan State Women's Basketball 89-78
Jaloni Cambridge's standout performance secures the Buckeyes' home victory over the Spartans.
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The Ohio State Buckeyes claimed victory against the Michigan State Spartans in women's basketball, winning 89-78 at Value City Arena on February 26, 2025. The win marked Ohio State's 15th straight home victory, reflecting their strong performance throughout the season as they improved to 24-4 overall and 13-4 in Big Ten action.
Michigan State's junior guard Theryn Hallock led the Spartans with a career-high 29 points, going 9-of-15 from the field and hitting all five of her 3-point attempts. Grace VanSlooten supported the effort with 19 points and nine rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Ohio State's led by freshman standout Jaloni Cambridge, who scored 33 points.
The first quarter saw Ohio State jumping to an early lead due to strong performances, taking the frame 31-24, with eight points from Ajae Petty contributing significantly to their offensive momentum. Both teams found their rhythm early, combining for high shooting percentages, with OSU closing out the first half up 54-41.
Despite trailing at half, the Spartans showed resilience. An early 14-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter brought them within seven points before faltering late without making any field goals for the last four minutes of play. Coach Suzy Merchant and her squad faced the reality of their tough matchup against the 12th-ranked team.
Ohio State maintained its commanding presence, and its players, particularly Cambridge and Petty, continually found scoring opportunities. Petty finished with 23 points—tallying 11 of those on perfect shooting and also grabbing 15 rebounds—while contributing to the Buckeyes' success with six assists, showcasing the depth of their offensive strategy.
Throughout the game, Michigan State attempted to stage comebacks, particularly through Hallock's scoring drives. Hallock’s five successful 3-pointers were the highlight for MSU, representing her third game this season with at least 25 points but marked the first occasion her scoring prowess came up short of securing the win. Even with this personal achievement, the loss left the Spartans midway tied for sixth place within the Big Ten.
While Ohio State's efficiency at both ends of the court was evident, Michigan State was able to capitalize on free throws, shooting impressively at the line, finishing 25-for-27 at 92.6%. Their success from the charity stripe, coupled with strategic plays from Jaddan Simmons and Julia Ayrault, kept the game competitive until the end.
The Spartans' loss serves as they prepare for their final regular-season game against Minnesota on March 1, where they will look to bounce back. The matchup offers Michigan State another opportunity to solidify their standing heading toward postseason play.
Hallock’s strong showing this season includes multiple games with double-digit scoring, and her performance against Ohio State marks her continued growth as a key player for the Spartans moving forward. The final score displayed the competitive nature of the game, underscoring the challenges MSU faced as they strive to improve their record against ranked opponents.
The rivalry between Michigan State and Ohio State carries on, with this loss being their seventh consecutive defeat against the Buckeyes. Moving forward, the Spartans will reflect on this game as they aim to leverage their potential to close the gap on their Big Ten competitors, especially as the tournament approaches.