Eric Boggs
The Ohio State men’s basketball team (4-1) turned Value City Arena into a shooting clinic Friday night, scorching the Campbell Fighting Camels (3-3) with a dazzling display of three-point accuracy and dynamic playmaking. In a game where the Buckeyes hit 65% from beyond the arc, they stormed to a commanding 53-27 halftime lead and never looked back, ultimately securing a 104-60 victory.
Hot Hands and Rising Stars
Freshman phenom John Mobley Jr. stole the show in the first half, torching the Camels with 19 points on 5-of-5 shooting from three-point range. Mobley finished the night with 23 points, showcasing the poise and scoring prowess that have fans buzzing about his future.
Senior guard Micah Parrish added 16 points, nine rebounds, and a flawless 4-of-4 performance from deep. Sophomore forward Devin Royal contributed 17 points and eight boards, while junior guard Bruce Thornton dished out seven assists to go along with 11 points. Ohio State saw six players score in double figures, with Meechie Johnson Jr. and Evan Mahaffey chipping in 12 and 11 points, respectively.
First Half Fireworks
Campbell managed to keep things close early, tying the game at 11 just six minutes in. But Mobley ignited a Buckeye surge with a contested three-pointer, followed by a highlight-reel scoop layup and a long-range triple from near Ohio State’s half-court logo. His offensive explosion sparked a 15-0 run, with Ohio State draining four consecutive threes to build a 35-17 lead.
By halftime, the Buckeyes had hit 10 straight three-pointers, finishing the half an incredible 11-of-13 from beyond the arc. The home crowd roared as Ohio State jogged into the locker room with a comfortable 53-27 lead.
Second Half Domination
Devin Royal took over after the break, scoring eight quick points to extend the Buckeyes’ lead to 66-35. Ohio State continued to pour it on, with Colin White and Parrish leading additional scoring runs. The game’s exclamation point came with just under five minutes remaining, as Johnson lobbed an alley-oop to White for a thunderous slam, bringing the crowd to its feet and pushing the Buckeyes’ lead to 95-49.
Sophomore forward Kalen Etzler added a three-pointer late to cap the night, and Ohio State crossed the century mark for the first time since 2019.
Adapting Amid Adversity
Despite missing key starters Sean Stewart and Aaron Bradshaw, the Buckeyes didn’t miss a beat. Stewart was sidelined with a concussion, while Bradshaw was unexpectedly ruled out for undisclosed reasons. Head coach Jake Diebler adjusted by starting Royal and Mahaffey, both of whom responded with strong performances.
What’s Next?
Ohio State (4-1) looks to maintain its momentum as it continues a four-game homestand Monday against Green Bay (2-3). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
With sharp shooting, tenacious defense, and an emerging freshman star in Mobley, the Buckeyes are quickly establishing themselves as a team to watch this season.
