COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a convincing display during the first round of the women’s NCAA Tournament, Ohio State, seeded No. 4, clinched a spot in the next round with a 71-51 victory over Montana State. Taylor Thierry spearheaded the effort with 16 points as the Buckeyes exhibited a cohesive team performance.
Ohio State showcased an impressive shooting efficiency of 50.9% from the field, with all starting players reaching double digits in scoring. Cotie McMahon and Chance Gray each contributed 15 points, while Jaloni Cambridge added 12 to the total. Ajae Petty was instrumental with 11 points and secured seven rebounds.
Looking ahead, Ohio State (26-6) will face off against the winner of the contest between Tennessee and South Florida. Meanwhile, Montana State (30-4), champions of the Big Sky, saw Esmeralda Morales lead their scoring with 20 points, followed by Natalie Picton who added 12.
A moment of tension arose in the first half when Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff was given a technical foul due to contentious calls that affected his team. Following the technical, Picton managed two free throws and a layup, giving Montana State a fleeting 27-23 lead.
Nevertheless, Ohio State retaliated forcefully with a nine-point sequence to close the half. McMahon was key during this stretch, contributing five points, which led to a 32-27 advantage at intermission. This sparked an extensive 32-3 run for Ohio State, spanning across the second and third quarters.
Reflecting on the game, Chance Gray remarked, “We just returned to playing aggressively on defense and not getting stagnant. That’s our best form of basketball. Gaining steals and capitalizing on them were critical. Once they went on their run, we knew it was our turn.”
When questioned about the technical foul, Coach McGuff commented, “There were some disagreements regarding the calls on the court, and I expressed my dissatisfaction.”
Gray’s exceptional shooting continued into the next half, nailing three consecutive three-pointers and extending Ohio State’s lead to 41-27. “I was prepared to shoot whenever my teammates passed me the ball,” Gray noted. “We executed excellent ball movement, which we’ve been focusing on recently.”
Montana State’s performance this season was historic, with Tricia Binford’s team setting a school record for wins in her 20th year as coach. “They overwhelmed us quickly in the third quarter,” Binford said. “Their pressure is formidable, and they play incredibly fast. I wish them the best as they move forward.”
For Ohio State, hosting the NCAA opening weekend marks the third instance in four years. The team has successfully conquered the first game of the tournament for the eighth year in a row, following a setback in the first round back in 2012.
Key statistics from the match highlighted Ohio State’s dominance inside, with a 44-14 scoring advantage in the paint and a 21-2 edge in fast-break points. Montana State’s struggle was evident with their 26 turnovers during the game.