Eric Boggs
Ohio State faced a formidable test against No. 2 Auburn on Saturday in a neutral-site matchup in Atlanta, but the Buckeyes were overwhelmed by the Tigers’ size, depth, and firepower. Auburn cruised to a commanding 91-53 victory, handing Ohio State (6-4) its most lopsided loss since 1994.
Auburn senior forward Johni Broome delivered a historic performance, recording 21 points, 20 rebounds, and six assists in the first 20-point, 20-rebound game of his career. Broome’s dominance on the glass was emblematic of Auburn’s 49-28 rebounding advantage, nearly matching Ohio State’s team total by himself.
Broome found ample support from guard Denver Jones, who contributed 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Dylan Cardwell added a highlight-reel dunk to cap Auburn’s 49-21 first-half lead, a margin that effectively sealed the outcome.
Ohio State struggled offensively and defensively, shooting just 25% from the field in the first half and 35% overall. The Buckeyes also had difficulty handling Auburn’s size and energy, managing only six points during a six-minute defensive stand in the first half.
Devin Royal led Ohio State with 14 points, but the team’s inability to generate offense and control the boards was evident throughout the game. Starting guard Bruce Thornton, a key player for the Buckeyes, didn’t score until the final five minutes.
The Buckeyes briefly led 3-0 at the start of the game, but Auburn responded with a 15-2 run and never looked back. Broome’s layups and Jones’ sharpshooting pushed the Tigers to a 25-8 lead just eight minutes into the game.
Ohio State momentarily tightened its defense, holding Auburn scoreless for over six minutes, but the Buckeyes failed to capitalize offensively, narrowing the deficit only slightly to 24-14. Auburn countered with a 9-0 run, extending its lead to 34-14 before closing the half on a 13-3 burst to take a 49-21 advantage into halftime.
The second half was more of the same, as Auburn maintained a lead of 25 or more throughout and eventually pushed its margin past 40 points. Auburn’s bench shined late, with Jahki Howard scoring nine consecutive points and delivering a thunderous dunk to cap the rout.
Johni Broome’s 21-point, 20-rebound outing was the first 20-point, 20-rebound game by an Auburn player since Kelvin Ardister accomplished the feat in 1989. Auburn’s 91 points were fueled by 46% shooting from the field and a hot start from beyond the arc, with five three-pointers in the first 10 minutes. For Ohio State, the 38-point defeat marked its worst loss in nearly 30 years and its lowest scoring output of the season.
Ohio State has now lost three of its last four games, struggling offensively in multiple matchups. Injuries have played a role, with starting center Aaron Bradshaw still sidelined as he undergoes a return-to-play process following a university investigation. Forward Colin White and guard Ques Glover were also unavailable. This game marked the first-ever basketball meeting between Ohio State and Auburn, and the Tigers, now 9-1, showcased why they are the No. 2 team in the nation.
Ohio State looks to bounce back at home on Tuesday against Valparaiso. Auburn will return to Neville Arena to host Georgia State on the same day.
