3 takes from Ohio State women's 78-69 win over Illinois

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3 takes from Ohio State women's 78-69 win over Illinois

Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Thu, Jan 8, 2026 ·

2 min read

1. Jaloni Cambridge continues to be the key to Ohio State's success

Point guard Jaloni Cambridge has led Ohio State in scoring for all but four of the 16 games this season, and Cambridge hit a new high when she scored 41 in Ohio State's against the Fighting Illini .

Cambridge recorded 12 of the 16 points Ohio State scored in the third quarter.

Ohio State guard Jaloni Cambridge dribbles the ball on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025.

With Ohio State getting ready to face No. 8 Maryland (Jan. 11), No. 13 TCU (Jan. 19) and No. 14 Iowa (Jan. 25) the Buckeyes will need the ball in Cambridge's hands, especially in the second half, to pull out wins.

In Ohio State's 82-75 loss to UCLA , Cambridge scored a team-high 28 points but only took three shots in the fourth quarter.

2. Chance Gray provides offensive support for Jaloni Cambridge

Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff has stressed the importance of Cambridge getting offensive support, and over the last two games, guard Chance Gray has provided that.

After notching 17 points and two assists in the 71-49 win against Rutgers, Gray recorded 18 points and four assists against Illinois.

Ohio State guard Jaloni Cambridge celebrates a play with guard Chance Gray on Nov. 19, 2025.

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) low-fives guard Chance Gray (2) in the second half at Value City Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.

She has fluctuated in accuracy all season, having games she shot under 30% followed by ones she went over 50% from the field. In the last three outings, Gray has recorded at least 42% shooting from the field, and she went 6 for 13 against Illinois.

3. Ohio State's first-half miscues cause dip in turnover margin

Ohio State went into the Illinois game ranked eighth nationally in turnover margin, with its opponents giving the ball away an average of 10.13 more times per game than the Buckeyes .

Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff reacts to a turnover by guard Jaloni Cambridge on March 23, 2025.

In the previous two games, the Buckeyes have averaged only 4.5 fewer turnovers than their opponents. Against Illinois, Ohio State had 14 turnovers while the Fighting Illini had 17.

A majority of those OSU turnovers came in the first half, when the Buckeyes could manage only a two-point advantage, which Illinois quickly came back from to send the game into halftime tied 36-36.