Jaloni Cambridge unsatisfied with NCAA Tournament performance vs Notre Dame

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Jaloni Cambridge unsatisfied with NCAA Tournament performance vs Notre Dame

Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Tue, Mar 24, 2026 ·

2 min read

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Jaloni Cambridge knows her performance against Notre Dame was an improvement from last year's NCAA Tournament loss, but she still walked away saying she "didn't do enough."

No. 3 seed Ohio State fell 83-73 to the No. 6 seed Fighting Irish in the second round at the Schottenstein Center on March 23, despite Cambridge matching her career-high 41 points.

"Forty-one doesn't matter with an L," Cambridge said. "We wanted to win. I could have scored zero and got the win, I would have been satisfied."

The loss extended the Buckeyes ' second-round losing streak, as they became the first team in NCAA Tournament history to lose three straight on their home court.

After opening the game with an 11-0 run, with Cambridge scoring seven of those points in the two-minute stretch, the Buckeyes began to fall apart. Ohio State recorded 21 turnovers, which led to 25 points for Notre Dame.

Ohio State mascot Brutus Buckeye and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish leprechaun mascot cheer prior to the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

The Ohio State Buckeyes sit for the starting lineup prior to the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) celebrates a shot during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) directs her offense while being guarded by Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Iyana Moore (23) fight for a loose ball during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) defends Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Cassandre Prosper (8) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Kennedy Cambridge (3) shoots over Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Iyana Moore (23) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) dribbles past Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Malaya Cowles (5) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) dribbles around Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes center Elsa Lemmilä (12) maneuvers around Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Malaya Cowles (5) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) shoots over Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Vanessa de Jesus (2) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Niele Ivey talks to guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) collides with Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Vanessa de Jesus (2) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) reacts to being fouled by Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Vanessa de Jesus (2) during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes fans react to a foul call during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Kevin McGuff motions during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Kevin McGuff reacts during the NCAA women's basketball tournament second round game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on March 23, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

The sophomore accounted for seven of those turnovers, one less than the eight she committed during Ohio State's 82-67 loss to Tennessee in the second round of the 2025 tournament.

"We just weren't taking care of the ball," Cambridge said. "I mean, it's Notre Dame, but we've been dealing with that all season, just not taking care of the ball. We just needed to make smarter plays."

Ohio State guard Jaloni Cambridge scored 41 points in an 83-73 loss to Notre Dame.

The Buckeyes finished well over their season-average of 13.6 turnovers, in part because they were facing one of the nation's top defenders in Hannah Hidalgo. The Notre Dame point guard finished with 23 points. Her eight steals and 13 rebounds proved to be more crucial in the matchup.

Going into the tournament, Cambridge wanted to avoid pressuring herself the way she did during her freshman postseason. She said after the loss that she was indeed in a better headspace than last year.

However, Cambridge still took responsibility for the loss.

"Like I said early in the year, I'd do anything for this team," Cambridge said. "I love them to death. ... With the people I was surrounded with, this was one of the best seasons I've had, especially in college."

Ohio State guard Jaloni Cambridge shoots over Notre Dame's Vanessa de Jesus.

While Cambridge had some struggles against Notre Dame, her teammates provided virtually no help.

No other Buckeye scored in double digits, with center Elsa Lemmila and guard Chance Gray both coming the closest, recording nine points each.

"I feel bad for her [Cambridge]," said Ohio State guard and Jaloni's sister, Kennedy Cambridge. "She should have made it out of the round of 32 twice. But she's only going to continue to do these things."

bmackay@dispatch.com

@brimackay15

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jaloni Cambridge on Ohio State falling to Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament