Ohio State’s defense forced 21 turnovers to overcome a rebounding deficit and beat Minnesota 60-55, setting up a semifinal clash with top-seeded UCLA, who removed Washington 78-60 behind Lauren Betts’ 26 points. Iowa and Michigan also advanced with balanced attacks, completing a day of dominant Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.
The Big Ten women’s tournament opened with dramatic quarterfinal action in Indianapolis, where No. 11 Ohio State edged No. 19 Minnesota 60-55 behind a late Jaloni Cambridge layup, while top-seeded UCLA (29-1) handled Washington 78-60 with a dominant second-half run. No. 2 Iowa and No. 8 Michigan also secured wins, setting up a semifinal slate that promises high-stakes matchups.
For Ohio State (26-6), the victory was a testament to defensive perseverance. The Buckeyes forced 21 turnovers, including critical steals in the final minutes, to offset a 44-27 rebounding disadvantage. Elsa Lemmila delivered a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Jaloni Cambridge capped her 17-point performance with the win-sealing layup with 16 seconds left. Chance Gray added 13 points, providing key scoring depth Field Level Media.
Minnesota (22-8) saw Sophie Hart dominate the glass with 19 rebounds to go with 12 points, while Grace Grocholski poured in a game-high 18 points and dished four assists. Grocholski had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer in the closing seconds but couldn’t convert, leaving the Gophers to ponder what might have been.
The win propels Ohio State into Saturday’s semifinals against No. 1 UCLA, a Bruins team that showed why they’re the national title favorites.
UCLA (29-1) faced a scare from Washington (21-10) for three quarters before unleashing a decisive run. Trailing by one with 2:33 left in the third, the Bruins strung together a 7-0 surge to close the period. Lauren Betts, the All-American center, then took over with six points in a 13-3 fourth-quarter run that put the game out of reach. Betts finished with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Kiki Rice added 18 points in the victory Field Level Media.
Washington’s Avery Howell led all scorers with 18 points, and Sayvia Sellers contributed 10, but the Huskies’ offense stalled after a strong first half that saw them build a 10-point lead.
In the third quarterfinal, No. 2 Iowa (25-5) never trailed in a 64-58 win over No. 10 Illinois (21-11). Ava Heiden was efficient, scoring 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting and anchoring an interior attack that outscored Illinois 36-26 in the paint. All five Hawkeye starters reached double figures: Hannah Stuelke (13), Chazadi Wright (12), Kylie Feuerbach (10) and Taylor Stremlow (9 points, six assists). Despite a poor three-point shooting night (4-of-14), Iowa’s balance proved too much Field Level Media.
Illinois was paced by Jasmine Brown-Hagger‘s 22 points, but a late 15-0 run came up short as time expired.
The final quarterfinal saw No. 8 Michigan (25-5) rely on its trademark defense to cruise past No. 11 Oregon (22-12) 80-58. The Wolverines forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 18 points, and held Oregon’s high-powered offense in check. Syla Swords led the way with 17 points and three steals, while Olivia Olson chipped in 16 points and six rebounds. Ashley Sofilkanich added 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks Field Level Media.
Oregon’s Katie Fiso scored a game-high 22 points, and Ehis Etute recorded her fourth straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but the Ducks couldn’t overcome Michigan’s defensive pressure.
Semifinal Matchups Set for Saturday
The quarterfinal results set the stage for Saturday’s semifinals in Indianapolis:
- No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 4 Ohio State – A marquee showdown between the Bruins’ All-American center Lauren Betts and the Buckeyes’ balanced attack.
- No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 8 Michigan – Iowa’s offensive balance meeting Michigan’s defensive intensity.
These matchups highlight the tournament’s unpredictable nature, where defensive stops and clutch plays often decide outcomes. Ohio State’s ability to win the turnover battle despite being outrebounded could be a blueprint for upsetting the top-seeded Bruins, while UCLA’s late-game execution shows they can handle any challenge.
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