Ohio State advanced to the NCAA Tournament second round by defeating Montana State 71-51 on Friday at Value City Arena.
A No. 4 seed out of the Birmingham 3 region, the Buckeyes were in a tight battle with the No. 13 seeded Bobcats throughout the first half.
The lead changed six times in the first 15 minutes, but the Buckeyes put an end to the back-and-forth, going on a 24-0 run that started in the second quarter and bled into the third.
Ohio State finished 28-for-55 from the floor (50.9%) and recorded 14 steals.
Every starter for the Buckeyes were in the double digits scoring with guard Taylor Thierry leading the offense with 16 points and five rebounds.
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The Buckeyes will face the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 5 seed Tennessee and No. 12 USF in the second round on Sunday at Value City Arena.
Ohio State vs Montana Stat score updates in March Madness first round.
Ohio State’s 24-0 run comes to end vs Montana State
Montana State broke Ohio State’s 24-0 run, that started in the second quarter and went into the third, with a 3-point basket from Esmeralda Morales at the 6:18 mark in the third quarter.
The run gave the Buckeyes a 47-27 advantage.
Chance Gray opens second half with three 3-point baskets for Ohio State
Ohio State guard Chance Gray extended the Buckeyes lead to 41-27 in to start the second half, hitting 3-cconsecutive 3-point baskets while the Bobcats went 0-for-2 from the field.
Gray enter the second half with six points on two 3-pointers, and is 5-for-6 from beyond the arc in the game.
Ohio State goes on 10-0 run vs Montana State going into halftime
Following a scoring drought that last over five minutes, the Buckeyes went on a 10-0 run to take a 32-27 lead at halftime. Forward Cotie McMahon led the effort with six points.
Kevin McGuff receives technical foul after arguing with officials
After arguing with officials over multiple calls, Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff was given a technical foul in the second quarter against Montana State.
One of the calls McGuff argued was a foul charged to Ohio State guard Taylor Thierry, her third of the game. Following the foul, Montana State went on a 7-0 and took a 27-23 lead.
Jaloni Cambridge records block vs Montana State
Ohio State starting point guard Jaloni Cambridge recorded the first block of the game, blocking the layup Natalie Picton during the Bobcats’ first possession of the second quarter.
Cambridge stands at 5-foot-7 and had only recorded five blocks this season going into the game.
Montana State goes on 5-0 run to finish first quarter
A 5-0 run from Montana State in final 2 minutes of the first quarter cut the Buckeyes’ lead and tied the score 17-17.
Ohio State vs Montana State tied at first timeout
The Buckeyes and Bobcats are tied 10-10 at the first timeout with 4:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Taylor Thierry is leading the Buckeyes’ offense with four points while guard Esmeralda Morales has six points for the Bobcats.
Ohio State starting lineup vs Montana State
- Jaloni Cambridge (G)
- Chance Gray (G)
- Taylor Thierry (G)
- Cotie McMahon (F)
- Ajae Petty (F)
Montana State starting lineup vs Ohio State
- Isobel Bunyan (G)
- Esmeralda Morales (G)
- Marah Dykstra (F)
- Ella Johnson (F)
- Katelynn Martin (F)
Kevin McGuff talks Montana State press, Bobcats guard Esmeralda Morales
Ohio State has never faced Montana State, but knows that the Bobcats are known for a strong full-court press, similar to the Buckeyes, under coach Tricia Binford, who’s been with the program for 19 seasons.
“They’ve got a little bit of a unique defensive system,” Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. “They pick up full court and try to disrupt in that manner.”
McGuff is also aware of the threat Bobcats guard Esmeralda Morales brings on the offensive side of the ball, averaging 15 points per game.
“She can really score the ball in a variety of ways,” McGuff said. “She can make threes. She can get to the rim. She gets to the free-throw line. She’s really good off of ball screens, and I think they execute really well off of ball screens in general. She presents a really difficult challenge for us.”
Ohio State injury updates
Ohio State is without freshman center Elsa Lemmila, who is sidelined with a left foot injury. Lemmila has averaged 4.2 points and five rebounds from off the bench this season.
Freshman guard Ava Watson is returning to action for the first time since Ohio State’s 87-84 overtime victory over Minnesota on Feb. 13. Against the Golden Gophers, Watson suffered sprained ankle.
“It feels better and better (each time I practice),” Watson said. “It’s still a little bit uncomfortable, but it’s nothing I can’t tolerate or handle.”
Ohio State leading scorers Cotie McMahon and Jaloni Cambridge are also available despite leaving the Big Ten Tournament semifinal matchup against UCLA with respective injuries in the third quarter.
Ohio State’s last March Madness appearance
Ohio State was a No. 2 seed in last year’s tournament, facing No. 15 seed Maine in the opening round.
After routing Maine 80-57, the Buckeyes were upset by No. 7 seed Duke 75-63 in the second round.
Montana State’s last March Madness appearance
Montana State’s last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2022 as a No. 15 seed. In the first round, the Bobcats fell 78-37 against No. 1 seed Stanford.
The Bobcats are making their fourth tournament appearance.
Ohio State women’s basketball schedule 2024-25
The past five games of Montana State’s 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule,click here.
- March 8: Loss vs UCLA (75-46 Big Ten Tournament semifinals)
- March 7: Win vs Iowa (60-59, Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals)
- March 2: Loss at Maryland (93-90, overtime)
- Feb. 26: Win vs Michigan State (89-78)
- Feb. 23: Win vs Purdue (98-46)
Montana State women’s basketball schedule 2024-25
The past five games of Montana State’s 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.
- March 12: Win vs Montana (58-57, Big Sky Tournament final)
- March 11: Win vs Idaho State (75-42, Big Sky Tournament semifinals)
- March 9: Win vs Northern Colorado (92-60, Big Sky Tournament quarterfinals)
- March 3: Win at Idaho (67-54)
- March 1: Loss vs Sacramento State (73-69)
What channel is Ohio State vs Montana State on today? Where to watch, stream live
- Channel: ESPN2
- Livestream: Fubo (subscribe today)
Ohio State vs Montana State start time, TV channel, location
Location: Value City Arena
Start time: 5:30 p.m. ET
TV info: ESPN2
Birmingham 3 region first-round matchups
- No. 1 seed Texas vs No. 16 William & Mary: Saturday, March 22 (9:45 p.m.)
- No. 2 seed TCU vs No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson: Friday, March 21 (3:30 p.m.)
- No. 3 seed Notre Dame vs No. 14 Stephen F. Austin: Friday, March 21 (2 p.m.)
- No. 4 seed Ohio State vs Montana State: Friday, March 21 (5:30 p.m.)
- No. 5 seed Tennessee vs No. 12 USF: Friday, March 21 (8 p.m.)
- No. 6 seed Michigan vs No. 11 Iowa State: Michigan advances, 80-74
- No. 7 seed Louisville vs No. 10 Nebraska: Friday, March 21 (6 p.m.)
- No. 8 seed Illinois vs No. 9 Creighton: Saturday, March 22 (7:15 p.m.)
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