Maryland vs. Ohio State Preview: Terps Seek Redemption in Sunday Rematch

Maryland (No. 20) heads to Columbus for a 2: 00 p. m. ET tip on Sunday, looking to even the season series against No. 8 Ohio State after a decisive January defeat at home. The Terps enter on a three-game winning streak and will try to protect that momentum against one of the conference’s most dangerous teams.

How the first meeting unfolded and what Maryland must fix

The January meeting was a corrective for Ohio State and a wake-up call for Maryland. The Buckeyes turned the Xfinity Center into a scoring showcase, knocking down 11 three-pointers and shooting at an unusually high clip from long range. Jaloni Cambridge spearheaded the attack with a near triple-double performance — a game of 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists — doing the bulk of her damage in the second half when Ohio State pulled away.

Maryland’s offense that night leaned heavily on Oluchi Okananwa and Yarden Garzon, who combined for 46 of the Terps’ 76 points, and Rainey Welson provided a spark off the bench with four triples. Still, the defensive lapses were notable: Ohio State’s hot shooting from deep and timely contributions from role scorers left Maryland on the wrong end of an 89-76 final.

For this rematch, the Terps must tighten perimeter defense and limit second-chance opportunities. Containing the ball-handler penetration that creates open looks from three will be critical, as will forcing Ohio State into more contested shots instead of rhythm attempts from long distance.

Momentum, matchups and what’s at stake

Maryland has steadied itself after a midseason slide that included a quartet of losses and back-to-back overtime defeats. The Terps have since pieced together a three-game February run, including a resume-building road win at Michigan State and a comfortable home victory over Penn State. Their true road record this season stands at 5-2, evidence the team can perform away from home.

Ohio State has largely been trending upward since that January exchange. The Buckeyes have gone 7-1 in the stretch since, collecting several quality wins and rebounding quickly from a lopsided loss at Iowa in late January. Jaloni Cambridge has maintained an elite scoring and playmaking level, posting averages that underline her status as the conference’s most versatile guard: she’s delivering high points while also contributing rebounds, assists and steals on a nightly basis.

The stakes are clear. A Maryland win would be a marquee victory for the Terps’ NCAA tournament résumé and a psychological boon after a difficult stretch. For Ohio State, a victory would reinforce its case as a national contender and preserve its hold on the upper tier of the Big Ten standings.

Keys to the game

- Defensive focus on the primary playmaker: Slowing Jaloni Cambridge’s second-half scoring bursts and limiting her playmaking will disrupt Ohio State’s rhythm.
- Perimeter discipline: Ohio State’s first-game outburst from three-point range proved dangerous; Maryland must contest shots and close on catch-and-shoot attempts.
- Bench impact and depth: Maryland’s reserves have shown they can swing momentum — continued production from role players will be necessary in a hostile environment.
- Rebound and transition control: Preventing easy putbacks and fast-break points will keep the game within reach if shooting isn’t falling.

Tip is set for 2: 00 p. m. ET on Sunday. Expect a hard-fought, strategically intricate battle where Maryland will try to avenge its January loss and Ohio State will look to extend a run of strong form. The winner will claim not only two conference points but valuable momentum as the Big Ten race tightens.