Oregon women can’t overcome 23 turnovers in home loss to No. 9 Ohio State

The Oregon Ducks put forth a spirited effort against No. 9 Ohio State during a women’s basketball game Sunday afternoon at Matthew Knight Arena.

But that wasn’t enough to overcome a glut of turnovers and an inability to keep the Buckeyes out of the paint during an 80-64 loss.

The Ducks matched their season high with 23 turnovers. They committed 18 in the first half and 22 through three quarters to trail 56-44.

Oregon cleaned up its turnover issues in the fourth quarter, but failed to prevent the Buckeyes’ offense from thriving inside. Ohio State scored 34 points in the paint compared to 18 for Oregon.

“Disappointed,” Oregon coach Kelly Graves told reporters. “Obviously, in the outcome and kind of how we played … The turnovers just killed us.”

The Buckeyes specialize in forcing turnovers. They lead the conference in steals per game (12.7), forced turnovers (22.8) and turnover margin (plus-9.6).

“That’s who they are, that’s what they do …” Graves said. “They were just relentless.”

Oregon, which averages 15.1 turnovers per game, forced Ohio State into 20 turnovers. But the Buckeyes shot 51.9% from the field while the Ducks shot 36.7%.

“We just weren’t as sharp and composed as we needed to be (today),” Graves said. “I didn’t coach with poise and we didn’t play with poise. And it showed.”

WHAT IT MEANS

The Ducks (18-8, 6-7 Big Ten Conference) moved to 1-5 against currently ranked teams, having also fallen to No. 2 UCLA, No. 8 Michigan, No. 10 Iowa and No. 12 Michigan State. Oregon won 68-61 at No. 22 Maryland last weekend.

The Ducks likely must win two of their remaining five games to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

Oregon last committed 23 turnovers this season during a double-overtime 92-87 loss to Michigan on Dec. 29.

TOP PERFORMERS

Ari Long led the Ducks with 16 points. Sarah Rambus and Mia Long each scored 13.

Ohio State’s 6-foot-6 center Elsa Lemmila took advantage of Oregon’s lack of size by scoring a career-high 23 points. She shot 10 of 12 from the floor and grabbed nine rebounds.

Kennedy Cambridge scored 20 points, and her sister, Jaloni Cambridge, added 19.

Kennedy Cambridge made a career-best five three-pointers on seven attempts.

“She was feeling it tonight,” Graves said.

NEXT UP

The Ducks play at No. 24 Washington (17-6, 7-5) at 5 p.m. on Feb. 15.

“We’ve got a whole week to kind of lick our wounds and heal up,” Graves said.