COLUMBUS, Ohio — In an impressive display, Chance Gray led the No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes with 23 points, sinking five 3-pointers, while teammate Cotie McMahon contributed 21 points. The Buckeyes opened strong, capturing a commanding 17-2 lead against Division II opponent Grand Valley State, ultimately securing an 82-57 victory on Tuesday evening.
Ohio State dominated the first quarter, leading by 21 points at the end of the period, thanks to nine points each from Gray and McMahon. This dynamic duo combined for 24 points in the first half, which propelled the team to a substantial 44-18 advantage.
Although Grand Valley State showed resilience by outscoring the Buckeyes 25-17 in the third quarter, they still trailed 61-43. The Lakers’ performance was hindered as they finished the game shooting 35%, making 20 of their 58 attempts, while committing a staggering 26 turnovers, with 19 occurring during the first half alone.
Ohio State, on the other hand, displayed their shooting prowess with a field goal percentage of 53%, including a successful 6-of-15 from beyond the arc. Gray excelled by converting five of her eight 3-point shots, while McMahon, fresh off a season-best performance with 29 points, shot 9 of 14 overall. In a setback for the Buckeyes, freshman point guard Jaloni Cambridge, who averages 13.9 points per game, did not play due to a shoulder injury.
Abrie Cabana was the top scorer for Grand Valley State, finishing the game with 14 points. The Buckeyes’ strong start echoed their previous encounter with the Lakers on December 15, 2023, when they held a commanding 43-19 lead at halftime, limiting Grand Valley State to just eight points in the second quarter.
Next up, Ohio State will travel to San Francisco to face Stanford in the Bay Area Women’s Classic on Friday.
