COLUMBUS, Ohio — In an impressive display, Taylor Thierry netted a career-high of 20 points as No. 9 Ohio State claimed a 69-60 victory over Oregon on Sunday. This game marked the first encounter between these teams since both joined the Big Ten Conference.
Ajae Petty contributed significantly with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists, while freshman guard Jaloni Cambridge also added 13 points for the Buckeyes, who now boast an impeccable record of 16-0 and are 5-0 in the Big Ten.
For Oregon (12-5, 3-3), Nani Falatea and Amina Muhammad each scored 11 points, with Deja Kelly contributing 10. The Ducks had their three-game winning streak snapped by Ohio State.
A notable aspect for Ohio State was their ability to maintain a substantial lead, even with key players Cotie McMahon and Jaloni Cambridge facing foul difficulties. This 16-0 start represents Ohio State’s best performance since when they began the 2022-23 season with 19 consecutive wins.
Despite facing a daunting 22-point deficit in the second quarter, the Ducks displayed resilience and narrowed the gap to eight points in the fourth quarter. However, their 37% shooting rate hindered any further potential comebacks.
A key moment in the game was highlighted by Ohio State’s stunning 27-0 run that lasted for 6 and a half minutes, which transformed a slow start into a commanding lead. During this stretch, Thierry scored 13 points, including three three-pointers, and Petty chipped in with five points. Additionally, both Thierry and Kennedy Cambridge contributed two steals apiece during this decisive surge, pushing Ohio State’s lead from 15-10 to an overwhelming 37-15.
An important statistic to note was Ohio State’s dismal first quarter where they managed only eight points—their lowest this season. This was even lower than their previous low of 10 points recorded in a victory over Old Dominion on November 28. They struggled with only 19% shooting from the field, missing all seven attempts from beyond the arc, while Oregon took an early lead at 11-8.
Next, Oregon will continue their journey in the Midwest with a game against Purdue on Wednesday, while Ohio State is set to face Wisconsin on Thursday.
