Eric Boggs
After a tough road loss to Texas A&M, the Ohio State Buckeyes returned to the friendly confines of Value City Arena determined to make a statement. And make a statement they did. Despite a sluggish start offensively, the Buckeyes clamped down on defense and exploded in the second half, cruising to an emphatic 80-30 victory over Evansville.
The win showcased Ohio State’s resilience and attention to detail, especially on the defensive end, where the Buckeyes held the Purple Aces to a dismal 19% shooting from the field and just 11% from beyond the arc. The 30 points allowed marked the fewest scored against Ohio State since a 59-22 win over Samford in 2008.
First Half Struggles and Adjustments
The Buckeyes opened the game ice-cold, missing their first five shots and failing to score a field goal until nearly five minutes in. Ohio State shot just 29% from the field in the first half and struggled to find offensive rhythm, leading a scrappy Evansville team just 16-14 with under six minutes remaining in the half.
Fortunately, the Buckeyes found a spark late in the first period. Sophomore forward Devin Royal and freshman guard John Mobley Jr. led a 12-0 run to close the half, with Royal contributing six free throws and Mobley adding a driving bank shot and a corner three. Despite their early struggles, the Buckeyes took a 28-14 lead into the locker room.
“We knew going into this game that we had to get the ball into the paint,” said head coach Jake Diebler. “We started settling for outside shots early, but credit to the guys—they adjusted and stuck to the game plan. That focus made all the difference.”
Royal’s Career Night
Devin Royal was the undisputed star of the night. Coming off a couple of quiet performances, the sophomore exploded for a career-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, earning his first career double-double. Royal was efficient, shooting 7-of-9 from the floor and 6-of-8 from the foul line.
“Coach told me before the game to focus on driving into the paint and being aggressive,” said Royal. “That mindset helped me a lot, and it opened up opportunities for my teammates too.”
Diebler praised Royal’s versatility, saying, “He’s a force when he’s driving the ball. His ability to mix it up inside and outside is key for us.”
Second Half Domination
The second half was a completely different story offensively for the Buckeyes. They shot a blistering 70% from the field and outscored Evansville 52-16. Micah Parrish jump-started the offense with six quick points, and Meechie Johnson Jr. dazzled with a highlight-reel alley-oop assist to Aaron Bradshaw. Johnson, who had been quiet in previous games, finished with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Freshmen Colin White and Ivan Njegovan also had memorable moments. White hit two three-pointers, including his first career bucket, while Njegovan scored seven points, including a banked-in three that brought the crowd to its feet.
“Our defense stayed consistently strong throughout the game, which was a big point of emphasis,” said Diebler. “When the offense started clicking, we became a really tough team to stop.”
Other Notables
Other notable moments from the game included Meechie Johnson Jr. reaching the 1,000-point milestone with his first basket of the night, adding to his strong performance. Freshman forward Sean Stewart made a significant impact with nine rebounds in just 11 minutes before leaving the game after hitting his head on the court; head coach Jake Diebler later confirmed Stewart was being evaluated. The 50-point margin of victory marked Ohio State’s largest since a 97-43 win over High Point in 2014, adding an exclamation point to the team’s dominant night. Even halftime provided entertainment, as a wiener dog race briefly went awry when the dogs initially ran the wrong way before being redirected, much to the amusement of the crowd.
Looking Ahead
Now 3-1, the Buckeyes will look to carry their momentum into Friday’s matchup against Campbell, the second game of their four-game homestand. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
Ohio State fans will be hoping for more of the same as the Buckeyes continue to refine their game ahead of the heart of their schedule. Tuesday night proved this team has the talent, defensive intensity, and depth to compete at a high level. If the Buckeyes can maintain their consistency, they’ll be a force to reckon with in the weeks to come.
