Newark, N.J. — Ohio State delivered a statement win Monday afternoon, edging TCU 71-69 in a tightly contested matchup at the Coretta Scott King Classic at Prudential Center.
Chance Gray led the Buckeyes with 22 points, drilling six of her eight attempts from beyond the arc. Jaloni Cambridge added 18 points while filling the stat sheet with eight assists and six rebounds, and Elsa Lemmila chipped in 17 points as No. 12 Ohio State improved to 17-2 and extended its winning streak to six games.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day doubleheader carried special significance for Gray, a Cincinnati native whose great-grandfather, Benjamin Hooks, worked closely with Dr. King and later served as executive director of the NAACP.
“This day means a lot,” Gray said. “Being able to play in this game made it even more special.”
The contest lived up to its billing, featuring eight ties in the fourth quarter alone. Ohio State finally pulled ahead for good when Cambridge knocked down a free throw with 1:10 remaining to make it 67-66.
Gray then delivered the biggest shot of the night, burying a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left to give the Buckeyes a four-point cushion. TCU answered with a last-gasp three from Veronica Sheffey with 0.3 seconds remaining, trimming the deficit to one, but Cambridge sealed the outcome with a free throw moments later.
The Horned Frogs had one final opportunity following a timeout, but Donovyn Hunter turned the ball over as the buzzer sounded.
Olivia Miles paced No. 9 TCU with a standout performance of 24 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, marking the 48th time in her career she has recorded at least 15 points and five assists. Although she struggled from deep, hitting just one of seven 3-point attempts, she was nearly flawless at the line, converting 11 of 12 free throws.
Miles, a graduate student who transferred from Notre Dame, played in front of a large contingent of supporters who traveled from her hometown of Phillipsburg. TCU, however, was hurt by 20 turnovers in the narrow loss, dropping to 18-2 on the season.
Up Next:
Ohio State returns home to face Indiana on Thursday.
TCU heads to UCF for a Saturday matchup.
