Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s regular season came to a frustrating close with a late-game collapse against Indiana, leaving the Buckeyes in a precarious position as they look ahead to the Big Ten Tournament. Holding a double-digit lead in the second half, Ohio State (17-14, 9-11 Big Ten) managed just 11 points over the final nine minutes and endured an offensive drought that saw them miss 13 of their last 15 shots. The end result was a 66-60 defeat at Assembly Hall, a missed opportunity that now likely requires the Buckeyes to secure multiple wins in the conference tournament to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. The loss also cost them a crucial first-round bye.
Indiana (19-12, 10-10 Big Ten) capitalized on Ohio State’s struggles, particularly on the offensive glass and at the free-throw line. The Hoosiers secured 14 offensive rebounds compared to Ohio State’s eight, and their efficiency at the charity stripe—23 made free throws to the Buckeyes’ 10—proved to be a deciding factor. Indiana was led by Trey Galloway and Malik Reneau, who each contributed 16 points.
For Ohio State, the night was defined by an uncharacteristic struggle from leading scorer Bruce Thornton and backcourt partner John Mobley Jr. The pair combined for just 16 points on an inefficient 5-of-21 shooting, committing five turnovers in the process. Despite their difficulties, Micah Parrish and Devin Royal provided much-needed production, scoring 19 and 13 points, respectively.
The game opened with an intensity fitting of Indiana’s Senior Day and the postseason implications on the line. Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm early, with 18 of the first 25 shots misfiring. The score remained knotted at 9-9 by the under-12 media timeout. Ohio State, however, found a brief spark from veteran guard Ques Glover, who knocked down a pair of smooth midrange jumpers to fuel a 6-0 run. This surge gave the Buckeyes a 15-9 lead, and they would eventually stretch the advantage to as much as nine. A deep three-pointer from Mobley and Parrish’s timely shot-clock-beating triple helped Ohio State maintain a 26-17 cushion.
Indiana responded before the break, clawing back within four points behind timely buckets from Galloway and Luke Goode’s second-chance free throws. Despite Indiana shooting just 31% from the field compared to Ohio State’s 46.2%, the Hoosiers’ eight offensive rebounds kept them within striking distance, and the teams entered halftime with Ohio State clinging to a 29-25 lead.
Parrish continued his strong play to open the second half, knocking down two three-pointers and a fastbreak layup to push Ohio State’s lead back to seven. Defensive intensity fueled transition opportunities, and a Glover layup extended the margin to 43-34, forcing Indiana head coach Mike Woodson to burn a timeout. Ohio State’s advantage hit double digits following a Royal three-pointer, but Indiana refused to go away. A quick layup, a second-chance three from Galloway, and a pair of timely buckets had the Assembly Hall crowd roaring as the Buckeyes’ once-comfortable lead dwindled.
With the game tied at 49 following a series of free throws, Indiana seized its first second-half lead after a flagrant foul call on Mobley gave the Hoosiers extra opportunities at the line. The Buckeyes briefly regained the lead with a mini 6-0 burst, but Indiana again had an answer. Galloway drilled a deep three-pointer to give Indiana a five-point cushion with under 90 seconds remaining, and Ohio State simply had no response. The Buckeyes failed to convert a field goal over the final 5:55, sealing their fate in a disappointing 66-60 defeat.
As Ohio State prepares for the Big Ten Tournament, they now face an uphill battle. Entering as the No. 10 seed, the Buckeyes will need to string together multiple wins to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. Their first-round opponent, the tournament’s No. 15 seed, has yet to be determined.
Despite the loss, there were bright spots, including Royal’s strong performance after missing Ohio State’s previous game against Indiana due to injury. Additionally, the game carried a special moment for Indiana center Oumar Ballo, whose mother made the journey from Mali to see him play a collegiate game for the first time.
Ohio State now turns its attention to postseason play, knowing that their path to March Madness has become significantly more challenging. The Buckeyes will need to regroup quickly if they hope to extend their season beyond the conference tournament.
