By IlliniGuys Staff

January 7, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Ohio State sophomore Jaloni Cambridge poured in a career-high 41 points as the 19th ranked Buckeyes kept Illinois at bay in the 4th quarter to score the 78-69 victory.

It's the first home loss of the season for the Illini (13-3, 3-2 in Big Ten), who fall to 1-2 against Top 25 teams, all in conference play.

Last year's Big Ten Rookie of the Year scored 29 points in the second half, 17 in the final 10 minutes as Ohio State (14-2, 4-1 in Big Ten) led by as much as 13 points in the 4th period. Cambridge topped the 30-point mark twice in her freshman season, scoring 31 in her collegiate debut against Cleveland State and 33 in late February against Michigan State. The Nashville, Tennessee native and Monteverde Academy alum came into the night averaging 19.4 points per game.

Cambridge's performance overshadowed a career-high 20 points for Illinois freshman Cearah Parchment. The 6-foot-3 center added eight rebounds as the Illini won the battle of the boards with 38 rebounds to 33 for the Buckeyes.

But Illinois managed to connect on just 2-of-13 from three-point range. The 15 percent effort was their worst in Big Ten play since going 0-for-8 in a loss to Michigan State last January.

Berry Wallace added 17 for the Illini, who struggled offensively aside from their two top scorers, going a combined 13-of-39 from the field.

Illinois visits Penn State on Sunday (2pm CT, BTN).

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