The No. 19 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes delivered a dominant performance on Wednesday, overpowering the Purdue Boilermakers with a decisive 83-56 victory in a Big Ten conference matchup. The standout performers of the night were the Cambridge sisters, Jaloni and Kennedy, who combined for 30 points to spearhead the Buckeyes' commanding win.
Cambridge Duo Leads the Charge
Jaloni Cambridge set the tone early, exploding for 11 points in the first quarter alone. Her all-around brilliance was on full display as she finished the game with 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and three blocks. Sister Kennedy Cambridge contributed a team-high 16 points, including a crucial third-quarter three-pointer that extended the lead to 28 points.
The Buckeyes (12-2, 2-1 Big Ten) came out with incredible offensive efficiency, shooting a blistering 67% in the opening quarter to race to a 30-17 lead. Their hot hand continued into the second quarter, where they scored 11 of the first 13 points. By halftime, Ohio State had built a formidable 47-28 advantage, having led by as many as 22 points on three separate occasions before the break.
Ohio State's Overwhelming Dominance
The second half offered no respite for Purdue. Kennedy Cambridge's seven points in the third quarter helped maintain the large margin. The Buckeyes' lead ballooned to its peak at 34 points (81-47) with just 3 minutes and 20 seconds remaining in the game. The final score of 83-56 underscored a complete performance.
Supporting the Cambridge sisters, Chance Gray scored 14 points and Ava Watson added 13. Kylee Kitts was a force on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds to go with her 9 points. For the struggling Purdue Boilermakers (8-6, 0-3), Madison Layden-Zay led the scoring with 17 points, followed by Nya Smith with 11 and Tara Daye with 10.
Statistical Breakdown and Road Ahead
The statistical disparity told the story of the game. Ohio State shot 42% from the field for the game and was exceptional from the free-throw line, making 16 of 18 attempts (88.9%). In stark contrast, Purdue managed only 30% shooting from the field and converted 20 of 29 free throws. This victory continues a dominant trend for Ohio State against Purdue, having now outscored them 181-102 in their last two meetings.
Ohio State will look to carry this momentum into their next game, where they are scheduled to host Rutgers on Sunday. Purdue, still searching for its first Big Ten win, will travel to face Nebraska, also on Sunday.
