COLUMBUS, Ohio (Interstat) — Ohio State used a dominant second half to defeat Northern Kentucky 94-62 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Value City Arena. The Norse led 43-38 at halftime, but the Buckeyes seized control with a 30-point third quarter, outscoring Northern Kentucky by 21 in the period. Ohio State’s defense held the visitors to just 19 points after the break. Jaloni Cambridge led all scorers with 33 points for Ohio State. Karina Bystry scored 21 points for Northern Kentucky. The Buckeyes improved to 8-1, while the Norse fell to 3-9. Attendance was 4,672.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Interstat) — A stunningly dominant third-quarter surge propelled the Ohio State women’s basketball team to a decisive 94-62 victory over Northern Kentucky on Thursday night at Value City Arena. The game, witnessed by a crowd of 4,672, was competitive for the first 20 minutes before the Buckeyes unleashed a game-breaking run that turned a narrow halftime lead into a blowout. Northern Kentucky, the visiting Norse, came out aggressively, building an early lead behind the play of guard Karina Bystry. The sophomore from Englewood, Tennessee, scored 21 points to lead her team, keeping Northern Kentucky within striking distance for much of the first half. The Norse shot effectively early, connecting on seven three-pointers in the opening half, and trailed by just five points, 38-33, at intermission. The complexion of the contest changed irrevocably after halftime. Ohio State emerged from the locker room with intensified defensive pressure, completely disrupting Northern Kentucky’s offensive flow. The Norse, who committed a staggering 35 turnovers in the game, were victimized repeatedly in the third period. The Buckeyes recorded 27 steals as a team, converting those miscues into easy transition opportunities. Ohio State outscored Northern Kentucky 30-9 in the decisive third quarter, turning the five-point halftime advantage into a 68-42 lead entering the final period. The Norse managed just nine points in the quarter on 3-of-13 shooting while committing 11 turnovers against the swarming Buckeye defense. The catalyst for Ohio State was sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge. The Nashville, Tennessee, native delivered a spectacular performance, scoring a game-high 33 points in just 28 minutes of action. Cambridge was efficient and relentless, adding two assists and spearheading the defensive effort. Her backcourt mate, Ava Watson of Buford, Georgia, provided strong support with 13 points. The Buckeyes shared the ball effectively, tallying 27 assists on 33 made field goals, while Northern Kentucky managed only four assists for the entire game. Ohio State also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 24 of 27 attempts, compared to Northern Kentucky’s 11-of-18 shooting from the stripe. Despite the lopsided final score, Northern Kentucky’s Bystry was a bright spot, adding four assists to her 21 points. Taysha Rushton contributed eight points for the Norse, who fell to 3-9 on the season. For Ohio State, now 8-1, the victory was a comprehensive team effort. Kylee Kitts scored 11 points and grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds. Kennedy Cambridge, Jaloni’s sister, filled the stat sheet with six points, five assists, and was a central figure in the defensive havoc with multiple steals. Contributions came from throughout the roster, with T’yana Todd scoring nine points and Chance Gray adding seven. The most important part of the game was unquestionably the third-quarter onslaught. After a first half where Northern Kentucky’s offensive execution kept them close, Ohio State’s defensive intensity reached another level. The Buckeyes forced turnovers on consecutive possessions to start the half, quickly extending their lead into double digits. The run was fueled by a combination of full-court pressure and half-court traps that Northern Kentucky could not solve. Jaloni Cambridge was at the heart of it, scoring 15 points in the quarter alone, many coming directly off Norse turnovers. This period transformed a contest into a rout, showcasing the gap between the teams when Ohio State applied its trademark defensive pressure. Ohio State finished the game shooting 33 of 76 from the field and 4 of 23 from three-point range. Northern Kentucky was 22 of 49 overall and 7 of 23 from beyond the arc. The Buckeyes dominated the glass, holding a 13-7 edge in offensive rebounds. Ohio State will look to continue its strong start when it hosts Toledo on Sunday. Northern Kentucky travels to face Cleveland State on Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Interstat) — A surging Ohio State women’s basketball team looks to continue its strong start when it hosts Northern Kentucky on Thursday night at Value City Arena. The Buckeyes (7-1) have won four straight since their lone loss, a 100-68 defeat at then-Connecticut on Nov. 16. They are coming off a 79-70 road victory over Northwestern on Sunday, powered by a 22-point performance from standout guard Jaloni Cambridge. The freshman has been a dynamic force, averaging 19.9 points per game and scoring 22 or more in three of her last four contests. Ohio State’s offense has been potent, averaging 86.6 points per game and eclipsing 80 points in five of its eight outings. Its most recent home game was a record-setting 130-32 win over Niagara on Nov. 30. Northern Kentucky (3-8) seeks to halt a two-game skid after a narrow 60-58 home loss to Robert Morris on Sunday. The Norse have struggled on the road, going 0-4 away from home this season. Forward Maddie Moody has been a bright spot for the Norse, averaging 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. She nearly posted a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds in the loss to Robert Morris. Guard Taysha Rushton, who led the team with 14 points in that game, provides backcourt scoring. This marks the first meeting between the programs. The matchup presents a stark contrast in momentum, with the Buckeyes boasting one of the nation’s top offenses while the Norse aim to find consistency and secure a signature non-conference road win. For Northern Kentucky, the game begins a challenging three-game road stretch. Ohio State continues a five-game homestand before a highly anticipated showdown with UCLA on Dec. 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.