Indianapolis, IN – The Ohio State Buckeyes secured a 60-55 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the quarterfinal round of the Huge Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament on Friday, March 6, 2026. The game, played at the BTN in Indianapolis, saw a closely contested battle with Ohio State ultimately prevailing, improving their season record to 26-6 overall and 13-5 in Big Ten play. Minnesota finished the season with a 22-8 record, likewise 13-5 in conference games.
The Buckeyes’ win advances them in the tournament, whereas the Golden Gophers’ season comes to a close. The game was characterized by tight scoring margins and a back-and-forth dynamic, with Ohio State holding a narrow lead for 64% of the game, according to ESPN Analytics. The largest lead of the game was just seven points, highlighting the competitive nature of the contest. This victory for Ohio State continues their strong performance in the Big Ten Conference and positions them as contenders for the tournament title.
Game Statistics and Key Performances
Elsa Lemmilä led the Buckeyes in scoring with 17 points, shooting 8-of-15 from the field and 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. She also contributed 11 rebounds, including 7 defensive rebounds and 4 offensive rebounds. Jaloni Cambridge added 18 points for Minnesota, shooting 8-of-14 from the field, though she struggled from beyond the arc, going 0-for-1. Grace Grocholski also contributed 18 points for the Golden Gophers.
Ohio State shot 41% from the field (26-of-64) and 23% from the three-point line (6-of-26), while Minnesota shot 43% from the field (23-of-54) and 40% from beyond the arc (2-of-5). The Buckeyes had a slight edge in free-throw shooting, converting 63% (5-of-8) compared to Minnesota’s 63% (5-of-8). Rebounding was a key factor, with Ohio State grabbing 44 rebounds to Minnesota’s 27. Ohio State committed 11 turnovers, while Minnesota had 21.
Key Moments and Game Flow
The game featured several pivotal moments, including a missed 24-foot three-point attempt by Kennedy Cambridge and a successful hook shot by Sophie Hart, assisted by Mara Braun. Elsa Lemmilä contributed multiple layups throughout the game, including one assisted by Jaloni Cambridge. Late in the game, Jaloni Cambridge managed to sink a 26-foot three-point shot, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. According to game flow data from ESPN, Ohio State held a 99.8% win probability late in the fourth quarter, while Minnesota’s probability stood at just 0.2%.
The referees for the game were Angie Enlund, Brenda Pantoja, and Tiara Cruse. The game was broadcast on the Fox Sports App.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Ohio State advances to the next round of the Big Ten Tournament, where they will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent. The Buckeyes will look to continue their momentum and compete for the tournament championship. The outcome of the tournament will significantly impact their seeding in the upcoming NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Minnesota’s season concludes with a strong record, but they will now focus on preparations for the next season.
The Big Ten Conference standings as of March 6, 2026, show UCLA at 18-0, followed by Iowa and Michigan both at 15-3. Ohio State currently stands at 13-5, alongside Minnesota. The tournament continues to unfold, promising further exciting matchups and determining the conference’s representative in the NCAA tournament.
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