Preview: Ohio State Visits Oregon in Key Big Ten Clash

EUGENE, Ore. (Interstat) — A surging Ohio State women’s basketball team, winners of seven straight, faces a challenging road test against a resilient Oregon squad on Sunday at Matthew Knight Arena.

The Buckeyes (20-3, 10-2 Big Ten) arrive with one of the nation’s most dynamic players in sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge. She is averaging 27.1 points over her last seven games, including a 30-point, six-assist performance in a 90-71 win over Nebraska on Feb. 1. Ohio State’s only loss since Dec. 28 was a 91-70 defeat at then-Iowa on Jan. 25.

Ohio State is coming off a 70-60 victory at Washington on Thursday, where Cambridge scored 26 points and forward Elsa Lemmilä added five blocks.

The Ducks (18-7, 8-4), however, have proven formidable at home, boasting a 12-2 record in Eugene. They edged Illinois 76-73 on Wednesday, led by 23 points from Mia Jacobs and a near double-double from point guard Katie Fiso, who had 16 points and nine assists.

Fiso has been the engine for Oregon, averaging 12.6 points and 7.0 assists during conference play. The Ducks have won three of their last four, with the lone loss in that stretch a narrow 65-60 setback to Minnesota.

This matchup, organized by the Big Ten conference, features contrasting strengths. Ohio State leads the league in scoring offense, fueled by Cambridge’s explosive play. Oregon counters with a defense that ranks in the top half of the conference and a balanced attack that has seen four different players lead the team in scoring over the past six games.

The Buckeyes won the season’s first meeting, 78-69 in Columbus on Jan. 7. Sunday’s rematch carries significant weight for Big Ten tournament seeding, with Ohio State aiming to keep pace atop the standings and Oregon looking to secure a coveted top-four finish.

Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. EST Sunday. Ohio State travels to Maryland next, while Oregon visits Washington.