3 takes from No. 14 Ohio State women's 108-84 victory over Penn State

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3 takes from No. 14 Ohio State women's 108-84 victory over Penn State

Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Thu, Jan 15, 2026 ·

2 min read

Ohio State hits team-record in 3-point shooting vs Penn State

In the final four minutes of regulation, the Buckeyes hit five 3-pointers, bringing their total for the game to 17, which tied the program record. The last time Ohio State hit 17 3-pointers in a game was in 2010 during an 86-73 victory over Penn State.

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) shoots the ball in the first half of the NCAA basketball game at Value City Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

Over the past five games, Ohio State has seen an uptick in 3-point accuracy, shooting 46-for-114 (40.4%) to improve its season average to 31%.

Seven different Buckeyes hit at least one 3-pointer against Penn State,. Guards Jaloni Cambridge and Chance Gray each recorded a season-high in 3-pointers, finishing with four and seven, respectively.

Ohio State's sophomore class continues to step up

While sophomores Cambridge and Elsa Lemmila have cemented spots in the starting lineup, Ava Watson has been the first player off the bench. All three have averaged over 19 minutes and 6 points per game.

The trio had a combined 62 points against Penn State and contributed 14 to the Buckeyes' 32 assists.

Watson and Lemmila each recorded three steals, while Lemmila and Cambridge notched a block each.

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Ava Watson (5) high-fives guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) in the second half of the NCAA basketball game at Value City Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio State waited until late in fourth quarter to bring in deep bench players

The Buckeyes continued pulling further ahead of the Nittany Lions during the second half, finding their first 20-plus point lead when Cambridge finished a fast-break play to give Ohio State an 81-60 lead at the 1:47 mark in the third quarter.

Despite the cushion, McGuff opted to stick with the nine players who regularly rotate through the lineup until less than three minutes were remaining in the game.

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Kevin McGuff reacts in the second half of the NCAA basketball game at Value City Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

McGuff admitted that he was uncertain what the rotation was going to look like going into the season, but as Big Ten play has gotten into full swing roles have been solidified.

Watson, Brynn Martin and T'yana Todd have seen the most playing time off the bench, all accumulating more than 15 minutes of playing time per game.