No. 13 OSU women fall to No. 8 Michigan in overtime: Takeaways

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No. 13 OSU women fall to No. 8 Michigan in overtime: Takeaways

Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Thu, Feb 26, 2026 ·

3 min read

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Michigan Wolverines head coach Kim Barnes Arico yells as guard Brooke Q. Daniels (5) saves the ball in front of Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) drives around Michigan Wolverines guard Brooke Q. Daniels (5) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Michigan Wolverines forward Ashley Sofilkanich (15) and Ohio State Buckeyes guard Kennedy Cambridge (3) react during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes center Elsa Lemmilä (12) fights for a rebound with Michigan Wolverines guard Te'yala Delfosse (33) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) shoots over Michigan Wolverines guard Olivia Olson (1) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Michigan Wolverines guard Mila Holloway (3) fouls Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes forward Kylee Kitts (1) sghoots over Michigan Wolverines guard Syla Swords (12) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) passes around Michigan Wolverines forward Ashley Sofilkanich (15) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) shoots a three pointer over Michigan Wolverines guard Olivia Olson (1) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) celebrates a three pointer during the NCAA women's basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) dribbles around Michigan Wolverines guard Olivia Olson (1) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) dribbles around Michigan Wolverines guard Mila Holloway (3) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) drives past Michigan Wolverines guard Syla Swords (12) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes center Elsa Lemmilä (12) looks to pass in front of Michigan Wolverines guard Olivia Olson (1) during the NCAA women's basketball game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Kennedy Cambridge (3) shots during the NCAA women's basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jaloni Cambridge (22) reacts to a shot at the end of the first half during the NCAA women's basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

No. 13 Ohio State women's basketball (23-6) dropped its first overtime game of the season, falling to No. 8 Michigan (23-5) 88-86 at the Schottenstein Center on Feb. 25.

Here are three takeaways from the Buckeyes ' loss in their final home game of the regular season:

Ohio State had multiple opportunities to win the game

When Chance Gray launched a final 3-point attempt after time expired in overtime − the shot was voided despite going in − it was far from Ohio State's only opportunity to close out the game.

More: No. 13 Ohio State women fall to No. 8 Michigan in overtime

The Buckeyes had a 14-point cushion to build on after shooting 50% (10 for 20) from the field in the first quarter. In the second and third quarters, their accuracy dipped to 31% (9 for 29), causing their advantage to vanish before the end of the half.

It was a similar situation for the Buckeyes in overtime, as they failed to turn their eight-point lead into a win and allowed Michigan to go on a 10-0 run to finish the game.

While Michigan controlled the rebounding margin 46-33, Ohio State was outrebounded only on the offensive boards 14-13. However, the Wolverines converted 24 second-chance points compared to the Buckeyes' six.

Ohio State guard Chance Gray leaves the court following a loss to Michigan on Feb. 25.

Even in the fourth quarter, before point guard Jaloni Cambridge sank three free throws to force overtime, Gray missed a wide-open 3-point opportunity with seven seconds left to tie the game.

Kevin McGuff needed to switch out Bryn Martin for Kylee Kitts during fourth quarter, overtime

Ohio State freshman Bryn Martin started on a hot streak against Michigan, hitting three consecutive 3-point baskets in the first quarter, but that was the end of her scoring.

Martin remained Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff's go-to option from off the bench when guard Kennedy Cambridge was in foul trouble, despite Martin making little impact the rest of the game and struggling with key defensive matchups.

Martin finished with a career high 30 minutes, 17 more than forward Kylee Kitts recorded.

Kitts had been a starter to begin the season, but she began coming off the bench after returning from a right shoulder injury she suffered in January.

Ohio State forward Kylee Kitts shoots over Michigan guard Syla Swords (12) on Feb. 25.

While Kitts is still getting to 100%, the redshirt freshman had her best outing since coming back, recording 11 points, five being off free throws, as she drew three fouls down low.

McGuff had the opportunity to capitalize on Michigan forward Ashley Sofilkanich fouling out by running a two-post lineup with Kitts and Lemmila. Instead, McGuff kept Martin on the court for all of overtime.

Kennedy Cambridge, Ava Watson failed to make usual defensive impact

Guards Kennedy Cambridge and Ava Watson typically make up for a lack of offensive stats by spearheading the defense.

Against Michigan, foul trouble kept them from having their usual impact.

Cambridge recorded 8 points and three steals, which tied the program record of 115 steals in a single season set by Yvette Angel in 1984-85, but the accomplishment was overshadowed once she fouled out in the final second before overtime.