Buckeyes Host Fighting Irish in High-Stakes NCAA Second-Round Clash
The No. 3 seed Ohio State women's basketball team hosts No. 6 seed Notre Dame on Monday afternoon in a second-round NCAA Tournament matchup that pits two of the nation's most storied programs against each other. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. ET at the Schottenstein Center, with the game broadcast on ESPN.
Ohio State (27-7) opened tournament play with a commanding 75-54 victory over No. 14 seed Howard on Saturday. The Buckeyes seized control in the second quarter, outscoring the Bison 23-4 to build a 43-19 halftime lead. Sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge led all scorers with 21 points, while Chance Gray , Kennedy Cambridge, and Ava Watson each added 11 points. Senior forward Elsa Lemmilä controlled the glass with a game-high 11 rebounds. Ohio State's defense forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 20 points.
Notre Dame (23-10) advanced with a 79-60 win over No. 11 seed Fairfield, powered by another dominant performance from All-American guard Hannah Hidalgo . The junior finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, eight steals, and six assists — marking a Notre Dame record for steals in a tournament game. Hidalgo held Fairfield to 1-of-2 shooting on possessions where she was the final defender, showcasing the two-way prowess that has made her a semifinalist for both the Naismith Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
The matchup features a clash of elite point guards in Jaloni Cambridge and Hidalgo, both among the quickest floor generals in the country. Cambridge, a semifinalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, averages 16.8 points and 5.2 assists per game this season. Her sister, Kennedy Cambridge, provides complementary scoring and perimeter defense, while Gray brings veteran leadership as the only senior in Ohio State's primary rotation.
Both teams employ up-tempo offenses that thrive on forcing turnovers and pushing in transition. The winner advances to the Sweet 16, keeping national championship aspirations alive. For Ohio State, it's a chance to reach the regional semifinals for the first time since 2023. For Notre Dame, it's another opportunity to prove its sustained excellence remains intact.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Buckeyes Host Fighting Irish in High-Stakes NCAA Second-Round Clash
