Indiana’s postseason hopes were hanging in the balance, and Teri Moren knew exactly what needed to be done—stack up quality wins. With No. 8 Ohio State rolling into town boasting a 11-4 record in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers had their shot. And they didn’t just take it—they seized it.

Talia Goodman summed it up best: “UPSET. Unranked Indiana shocked No. 8 Ohio State with a 71-61 victory. This result had major tournament implications for the Hoosiers. Best I’ve seen them play all season.”. The Hoosiers, now 17-9, may not have last year’s 22-6 record, but with their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance on the line, they knew quality wins were a must—and they just got a big one.

Ohio State entered third in the Big Ten but left Assembly Hall with more questions than answers.

Teri Moren has turned Indiana into a perennial contender, and this season might be another masterpiece. In her 11th year at the helm, the winningest coach in Hoosiers history (242-108 at Indiana, 441-238 overall) has already guided the program to six NCAA Tournament appearances—and after this statement win, a seventh could be on the horizon.

With Michigan State and Maryland looming, Indiana’s seeding is still in play, but one thing is certain: the Hoosiers just put the nation on notice. Leading the charge was Yarden Garzon, who posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Sydney Parrish and Shay Ciezki matched her scoring output with 16 points each, showcasing Indiana’s balanced attack. The Hoosiers were lights-out from beyond the arc, drilling nine three-pointers on 52.9% shooting.

Defensively, Indiana suffocated Ohio State, limiting the Buckeyes to 42.1% shooting overall and just 33.3% from three-point range. Star freshman Jaloni Cambridge led the Buckeyes with 18 points, while Cotie McMahon added 14, but the rest of the team struggled to find a rhythm.

Ohio State’s recent trend of living on the edge—surviving back-to-back overtime games—finally caught up with them. The Buckeyes dropped to 4-4 in conference road games, a troubling sign for a team that started the game on a 17-game win streak. More concerning, they are now 0-4 when scoring 63 or fewer points.

Hoosiers flip the script, shake up tournament picture

The game’s turning point came in the second quarter. After Ohio State clawed back with a 9-0 run to tie the game at 26, Indiana responded with a blistering 14-2 run to close the half. By the time the teams headed into the locker room, Indiana held a commanding 40-28 lead. The Buckeyes wouldn’t come within single digits for the rest of the night.

One statistic perfectly encapsulated Indiana’s dominance—assists. The Hoosiers dished out 21 assists compared to Ohio State’s six, a testament to their crisp ball movement and selfless play.

For Ohio State, the loss raises questions about their ability to perform in high-pressure environments away from home. While they remain a formidable force in the Big Ten, this defeat exposed vulnerabilities that could haunt them in March.

On the other hand, Indiana just proved they are more than capable of taking down top-tier opponents. They improved to 4-3 against ranked teams, reinforcing their reputation as a dangerous matchup for any contender. They may not be the powerhouse they once were, but the Hoosiers are showing they can still deliver on the biggest stage.

Selection Sunday is less than 30 days away, and every game carries weight. The NCAA’s first top-16 seed reveal has already shaken up projections, with teams like UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and Notre Dame leading the field. Ohio State was expected to be a strong No. 4 seed, but this loss could shift their placement.

Meanwhile, Indiana’s victory has undoubtedly caught the selection committee’s attention. Their next showdown against No. 22 Michigan State presents another opportunity to bolster their resume and prove that this win was no fluke.