Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans were treated to a masterful performance Monday night as the Buckeyes stormed past Iowa with a commanding 82-65 victory at Value City Arena. Coming off a remarkable comeback win at Purdue, the Buckeyes extended their momentum with another strong showing, this time marked by suffocating defense and a balanced offensive attack.
The game began as a tightly contested battle, with Iowa’s prolific offense testing Ohio State’s resolve. Junior point guard Bruce Thornton set the tone early for the Buckeyes, attacking the basket with confidence and hitting key shots to keep the game close. Iowa’s Ben Freeman answered with a strong start of his own, giving the Hawkeyes a slight edge early on. Both teams struggled to find a consistent rhythm for much of the first half, but Ohio State slowly built momentum as Aaron Bradshaw’s emphatic dunk and jumpers from John Mobley Jr. and Micah Parrish sparked a run.
By halftime, Ohio State held a slim 30-26 lead, thanks in part to Devin Royal’s timely three-pointer and Ivan Njegovan’s hustle on both ends of the court. The Buckeyes’ first-half effort was solid but left room for improvement, particularly with Iowa’s offense lurking as a constant threat.
Whatever adjustments Ohio State made at the break paid immediate dividends. The Buckeyes came out firing on all cylinders, launching an 11-1 run early in the second half to seize control. Royal was particularly dominant during this stretch, finishing efficiently around the rim while adding a spark on defense. Thornton nailed a clutch three-pointer, and Sean Stewart’s steal and subsequent two-handed slam punctuated a stretch of sheer dominance that left the Hawkeyes reeling.
Ohio State’s defense shined brightest during the second half, holding Iowa—a team that entered the game averaging 86.6 points per game—to just 39.3% shooting. The Buckeyes’ ability to disrupt Iowa’s offensive flow was pivotal, as the Hawkeyes managed only six points in the first eight minutes of the second half. While Iowa tried to mount a comeback, Parrish and Mobley responded with critical baskets to maintain the Buckeyes’ sizable lead. Mobley, in particular, showcased his playmaking ability, finishing the game with a career-high eight assists to go along with 12 points.
As the clock wound down, the Buckeyes continued to deliver highlight-reel moments. Parrish sank a corner three to extend the lead, and Mobley and Bradshaw connected on a jaw-dropping alley-oop to put an exclamation point on the evening. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Ohio State had not only secured its first back-to-back conference wins of the season but had also made a statement against one of the nation’s most potent offenses.
The Buckeyes’ victory was a true team effort, with four players scoring in double figures. Parrish led the way with 18 points, while Thornton contributed 15. Mobley and Royal each added 12, showcasing the depth and balance of this Ohio State squad. Meanwhile, Iowa’s Drew Thelwell led all scorers with 20 points, but his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Buckeyes’ defensive intensity.
Ohio State now shifts its focus to a road matchup against Penn State at the Bryce-Jordan Center. With momentum on their side, the Buckeyes will look to build on their recent success and continue climbing the Big Ten standings. For Ohio State fans, Monday’s performance was a promising glimpse of what this team is capable of when firing on all cylinders.
