Turnovers hurt Ohio State in NCAA Tournament loss to Notre Dame: Takeaways
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Turnovers hurt Ohio State in NCAA Tournament loss to Notre Dame: Takeaways
Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch·The Columbus Dispatch
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3 min read
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Ohio Statehad its women's basketball season come to an end on its home court for a third consecutive year,falling to No. 6 seed Notre Dame 83-73as the No. 3 seed in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The elimination makesOhio Statethe first team to lose three consecutive games at home in the tournament since the NCAA switched to giving the top four seeds hosting rights in 2015.
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)
1/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
1/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
2/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
3/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
4/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
5/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
6/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
7/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
8/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
9/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
10/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
11/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
12/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
13/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
14/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
15/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
16/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
17/17
See highlights from Ohio State women vs. Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament
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)
Here are three takeaways from theBuckeyes' elimination:
Ohio State's biggest downfall was turnovers
The Buckeyes managed to score the same number of points off turnovers asNotre Dame(25), though committing 21 turnovers stunted the offense. The Fighting Irish had just 15.
"It was turnovers," Ohio State coachKevin McGuffsaid. "We got killed, and usually we win the points off turnovers. ... We had too many live-ball turnovers. Notre Dame just really made us pay. They got a lot of easy baskets in transition because of that, and we just couldn't overcome it."
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The fact that Notre Dame had a slightly worse game from the field, shooting 43.5% compared to Ohio State's 46.2%, was negated by the Buckeyes taking 10 fewer shots (62-52).
Ohio State guard Chance Gray passes around Notre Dame forward Malaya Cowles on March 23.
Seven minutes into the fourth quarter, the Buckeyes had more turnovers − seven − than shots, getting off only three before ending the game on an 8-0 run in the final 40 seconds.
DespiteCambridge wanting to have done morefor Ohio State in the last game of her sophomore season, she received little help from any of her teammates.
No other Buckeye scored in the double digits. Cambridge accounted for 56.2% of Ohio State's offense. Five of the team's seven made 3-pointers came from her.
Ohio State guard Jaloni Cambridge dribbles past Notre Dame forward Malaya Cowles on March 23.
While Notre Dame had 13 bench points, Ohio State had just two.
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CenterElsa Lemmilastarted the game strong, notching five rebounds and two blocks through the first quarter before her play became panicked. Lemmila finished with 9 points, 10 rebounds − all on the defensive end − and she never put down another block.
In the final game of her college career, guardChance Grayhad 9 points.
The press was never effective for Ohio State vs Notre Dame
There were stretches in which Ohio State's half-court defense was solid and forced Notre Dame into bad shots, but the Fighting Irish grabbed 11 offensive rebounds for 13 second-chance points.
Ohio State recorded five second-chance points on six offensive boards and were outrebounded 36-31.
Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo shoots around Ohio State center Elsa Lemmilä on March 23.
The bigger issue was thatthe Buckeyes' pressnever reached full effectiveness, as the entire lineup had the same number of steals (eight) as Hidalgo had. Without the press working, the Buckeyes scored only 10 fast-break points, when their average is 16.3.
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The Buckeyes finish the 2025-26 season with a record of 27-8.
