Takeaways from Ohio State’s overtime loss against Maryland to end the regular season

The Ohio State women’s basketball team’s regular-season finale against No. 19 Maryland on March 2, 2025, ended in a heartbreaking 93-90 overtime loss, sending the Buckeyes into the postseason on a bittersweet note. Despite the loss, Ohio State had several standout moments that demonstrated resilience and the potential for a deep run in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. The game was an emotional rollercoaster that showcased the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the game’s key moments, individual performances, strategic takeaways, and what lies ahead for Ohio State as they head into postseason play.

1. Early Momentum Shifts and Key Moments in Regulation

The game began with an electric atmosphere as Maryland took an early 5-0 lead, fueled by a three-pointer from Shyanne Sellers. This was a signal that Maryland was not going to back down easily, particularly with the home crowd behind them. Ohio State, however, responded quickly as Taylor Thierry stepped up with a series of big plays, including two three-pointers, one of which came after a driving layup from Cotie McMahon. The score was tied at 14 by the midway point of the first quarter, with both teams battling intensely on both sides of the ball.

Ohio State’s defense came under pressure from Maryland’s sharp shooters. Sellers, who was the heart of the Terrapins’ offense, hit another three-pointer, but Ohio State managed to hold their ground. The game featured several lead changes in the first half, but Ohio State ended the first quarter strong, ahead 25-22. This was due in part to their ability to execute offensive sets efficiently, particularly in transition.

In the second quarter, the Buckeyes got off to a strong start as well, with freshman Elsa Lemmilä contributing with a key layup that gave Ohio State its first lead at 33-32 with 3:33 remaining in the first half. This sparked a 19-8 run, marking a major shift in the game’s flow, and the Buckeyes looked to be building some momentum. However, Maryland closed out the half with a late three-pointer by Sellers, which narrowed Ohio State’s lead to just one point at halftime (38-37). This was indicative of the back-and-forth nature of the game, as neither team could build a significant cushion.

2. Ohio State Faces Adversity in the Second Half

As the second half began, Maryland came out with renewed energy, pushing Ohio State to its limits. The Buckeyes found themselves in foul trouble, with star point guard Jaloni Cambridge picking up her fourth foul midway through the third quarter. The foul trouble forced head coach Kevin McGuff to adjust his lineup, limiting Cambridge’s court time and forcing the team to rely more heavily on other contributors like Thierry and McMahon. Without Cambridge’s steady hand, Ohio State’s offense became more erratic, and they struggled to keep pace with Maryland’s efficient shooting.

Maryland, on the other hand, capitalized on Ohio State’s defensive lapses. The Terrapins’ Kaylene Smikle found a rhythm, contributing to a scoring surge that put Maryland up by as many as nine points during the third quarter. However, Ohio State never fully lost touch with the game. They were able to trim the lead and entered the fourth quarter trailing by only four points, which set the stage for an intense final period.

3. Ohio State’s Resilience and Clutch Plays in the Fourth Quarter

The fourth quarter began with Maryland seemingly in control, as the Terrapins extended their lead to 9 points at one point. However, the Buckeyes refused to give up. One of the standout moments came from freshman Chance Gray, who hit a critical three-pointer to cut the deficit to just one point with 2:37 left on the clock. The Buckeyes, led by the defensive intensity of McMahon and Thierry, ramped up their pressure on Maryland, forcing a few key turnovers.

In the final moments of regulation, Ohio State continued to rally. After a pair of free throws by Maryland, Ohio State responded with a layup from Gray, tying the game at 90 with just seven seconds left. The crowd at the Xfinity Center was on edge, as Ohio State had successfully fought back from the brink. Despite Maryland’s efforts to execute a final possession, the game went to overtime, and the stage was set for an exciting conclusion.

4. Overtime Heartbreak: Maryland Clinches with a Last-Second Three

The overtime period was a tense affair, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the extra frame. Maryland’s Sarah Te-Biasu, who had been relatively quiet throughout the game, emerged as the hero. With the score tied at 90, Te-Biasu hit a cold-blooded three-pointer with only 1.1 seconds remaining, sealing the victory for the Terrapins and ending Ohio State’s hopes of a dramatic comeback.

Despite Ohio State’s best efforts in the overtime period, the game was lost on the defensive end, as they struggled to contain Maryland’s shooters in the final moments. Ohio State had multiple chances to reclaim the lead but was unable to get a clean look at the basket in the dying seconds of overtime.

5. Standout Performances

Although Ohio State fell short in the overtime thriller, there were several notable individual performances that stood out in the game:

• Taylor Thierry: Thierry was the Buckeyes’ top scorer, contributing 21 points in a variety of ways, including two three-pointers and multiple free throws. She showed great poise under pressure, and her ability to create offense kept Ohio State in the game when others struggled.
• Cotie McMahon: McMahon, who had a more subdued game compared to her usual dominance, still contributed 18 points and grabbed five rebounds. Her defensive efforts and leadership on the court were crucial throughout the game. However, her actions after fouling out in the second half drew some controversy, as she was seen flipping the bird to Maryland fans on her way off the court. While her emotions were understandable, it was a reminder of the heated nature of Big Ten basketball and how players are under constant scrutiny in high-pressure environments.
• Jaloni Cambridge: Cambridge was limited to just 12 points due to foul trouble, but her ability to drive to the basket and her vision as a playmaker were still evident when she was on the floor. Ohio State will need her to be in top form during the tournament, and finding ways to manage her fouls will be key moving forward.
• Maryland’s Kaylene Smikle and Shyanne Sellers: Smikle had a game-high 26 points and was a dominant force in the paint, while Sellers added 21 points. The two guards were the primary offensive threats for Maryland and made key contributions in both regulation and overtime.

6. Strategic Takeaways

• Foul Management: Ohio State’s inability to keep Cambridge on the floor was a major factor in their loss. Foul trouble disrupted their rhythm and limited their ability to generate offense when it was needed most. Moving forward, McGuff will need to instill a stronger focus on managing fouls, especially for key players like Cambridge.
• Defensive Adjustments: Ohio State’s defense struggled at times, especially in containing Maryland’s perimeter shooting. While they were able to keep the game close, the Buckeyes will need to improve their defensive rotations, particularly on the three-point line, to ensure they don’t get burned by high-scoring teams in the tournament.
• Offensive Consistency: Ohio State showed flashes of brilliance offensively, but at times their offense stalled, particularly in the third quarter. For the Buckeyes to make a deep run in the tournament, they need to find more consistency in their shooting and ball movement, relying on players like Thierry and McMahon to step up in clutch moments.

7. Looking Ahead: The Big Ten Tournament and Beyond

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Ohio State enters the Big Ten Tournament as one of the top contenders. The Buckeyes secured the No. 3 seed, setting up a favorable path to the semifinals. Their resilience and ability to come back from significant deficits will serve them well in tournament play, where games can often come down to a few crucial possessions.

Ohio State has the talent and coaching to make a deep run, but they will need to tighten up their defensive rotations and foul management. With the right adjustments, the Buckeyes can still be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.