Maryland Edges Ohio State 76-75 in Thriller

Lady Buckeyes' Cambridge and Gray score 25+ points in losing effort

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a close matchup between ranked Big Ten women's basketball teams, Maryland defeated Ohio State 76-75 in Columbus. The Lady Buckeyes had strong individual performances from Jaloni Cambridge and Chance Gray, who each scored over 25 points, but the Terrapins rallied in the fourth quarter to secure the narrow victory.

Why it matters

This loss drops Ohio State to 22-4 overall and 11-3 in the Big Ten, while Maryland improves to 21-6 and 9-6 in conference play. The outcome raises questions about the Lady Buckeyes' ability to protect their home court against top opponents and casts uncertainty over which Big Ten team may emerge as the conference tournament favorite.

The details

Ohio State raced out to a 28-15 lead after the first quarter, but Maryland chipped away at the deficit in the second and third quarters. The Terrapins then opened the fourth on a 12-0 run to take a 69-60 advantage, and they held on for the one-point win despite late efforts from the Lady Buckeyes. Neither team made a free throw in the final minutes of the close contest.

  • Ohio State led 28-15 at the end of the first quarter.
  • Ohio State led 46-31 at halftime.
  • Maryland cut the deficit to 60-57 after three quarters.
  • Maryland scored the first 12 points of the fourth quarter to take a 69-60 lead.

The players

Jaloni Cambridge

A standout player for Ohio State who scored 29 points in the losing effort.

Chance Gray

Another Ohio State player who had an impressive performance, scoring 25 points.

Maryland Terrapins

The visiting team that rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Ohio State and improve their Big Ten record to 9-6.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This was a tough loss, but we'll learn from it and come back stronger. Jaloni and Chance really stepped up, and we had our chances, but Maryland made the plays down the stretch.”

— Kevin McGuff, Ohio State Head Coach (totalapexsports.com)

What’s next

Ohio State will look to bounce back when they travel to face Minnesota on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Meanwhile, Maryland will host Purdue on Saturday.

The takeaway

This close contest between two ranked Big Ten women's basketball teams showcases the depth and competitiveness of the conference. While Ohio State came up short at home, the strong individual performances from Cambridge and Gray indicate the Lady Buckeyes have the talent to compete with the conference's elite squads.