Big Ten tournament No. 5 seed Ohio State overwhelmed 13th-seeded Indiana 83-59 with a stifling defensive effort in Thursday’s second of four second-round matchups in Indianapolis.
Ranked No. 11 in the country, the Buckeyes (25-6) held the Hoosiers (18-14) to just 19-of-57 shooting from the floor (33.3%), including 5 of 21 from 3-point range, while also forcing the Hoosiers into 15 turnovers. Ava Watson helped key the Ohio State defense with five steals, while Elsa Lemmila blocked three shots to go with her 13 rebounds.
Jaloni Cambridge paced Ohio State’s offense, scoring 19 points to lead three Buckeyes in double-figures. Chance Gray added 18 points and Kennedy Cambridge scored 14 points.
Indiana’s Maya Makalusky led all scorers with 21 points in the loss. Ohio State advances to face No. 19 Minnesota in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Washington 76, Southern California 64
Elle Ladine scored a season-high 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting and the Huskies topped the Trojans in the Big Ten tournament 8-9 matchup.
It was USC’s fourth consecutive loss and the Trojans are waiting for more than an NCAA bid after losing conference freshman of the year Jazzy Davidson to a shoulder injury. The team’s leader in average points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, Davidson shot 2 of 13 from the field and totaled eight points in 29 minutes. She said an MRI on her injured shoulder was scheduled for Friday.
Washington (21-9) came alive with 48 points in the second and third quarters after the teams combined for 14 points in the first. The Huskies held USC (17-13) to just 20 first-half points, building a 20-point cushion through the third period.
The Huskies outscored the Trojans 40-14 on points in the paint. Ladine’s ability to attack helped key the Huskies, while Avery Howell provided support to the tune of 18 points and nine rebounds. Londynn Jones led USC with 19 points.
Washington moves on to face the tournament’s No. 1 seed UCLA — ranked No. 2 in the latest Top 25 poll — on Friday. The Bruins beat the Huskies 82-67 last month and went undefeated in Big Ten play.
–Field Level Media
