Ohio State women eliminated by Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament

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Ohio State women eliminated by Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament

Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Mon, Mar 23, 2026 ·

1 min read

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No. 3 Ohio State failed to complete a second-half comeback against No. 6 Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament second round, falling 83-73 on March 23.

This marks the third straight year the Buckeyes were defeated on their home court as in the second round as the higher seed.

The Buckeyes entered the fourth quarter down 58-54 despite taking an 11-0 lead in the first three minutes of play. After taking the early lead, Ohio State committed 21 turnovers, which Notre Dame capitalized on for 25 points.

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight steals.

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.

Point guard Jaloni Cambridge virtually kept Ohio State in the game single-handedly, scoring 41 points. No other Buckeye had more than 9 points.

But ultimately, sloppy play ended any chance of an Ohio State comeback.

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 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)

Ohio State had seven turnovers in the fourth quarter, which limited the Buckeyes to three field goal attempts across seven minutes. During that span, Notre Dame took its biggest lead of 18 points with 41 seconds remaining.

Despite Cambridge being at the center of Ohio State's offense, she also committed a game-high seven turnovers.

bmackay@dispatch.com

@brimackay15

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Notre Dame women top Ohio State, advance to Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament