John Mobley Jr.

Ohio State’s relentless effort came up just short in Madison on Tuesday night. Despite a determined second-half push, the Buckeyes couldn’t fully climb out of a daunting first-half deficit, falling 70-68 to the 24th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers.

From the opening tip, the Buckeyes struggled to find their rhythm. Shooting woes and foul trouble derailed their offensive flow, leading to a 37-20 halftime deficit. Center Aaron Bradshaw and forward Sean Stewart were limited early due to fouls, forcing Ohio State to shuffle its rotations. Wisconsin capitalized on the opportunity, with guards John Tonje and John Blackwell leading the charge.

Blackwell ignited an 11-0 run with nine straight points, pushing the Badgers ahead early. Wisconsin’s momentum continued with efficient shooting and disciplined free-throw performance, converting 13 of 14 attempts in the first half. Ohio State, by contrast, shot just 32.1% from the field and struggled to generate consistent offense.

In the second half, guard Bruce Thornton delivered a stellar performance, scoring 19 of his game-high 21 points. His relentless drives and timely shooting sparked a furious comeback attempt. Devin Royal added 12 points, while John Mobley Jr. and Ivan Njegovan provided crucial contributions off the bench.

The Buckeyes repeatedly chipped away at Wisconsin’s lead, narrowing the deficit to single digits at the first media timeout of the second half. Thornton’s scoring and a 3-pointer from Royal brought Ohio State within striking distance at 48-44. Each time the Buckeyes seemed poised to take control, Wisconsin responded with timely baskets and free throws.

Trailing by as many as 17 points, Ohio State cut the lead to one possession multiple times in the final moments. A layup by Royal brought the Buckeyes within 65-64 with 17 seconds left. However, missed opportunities, including a critical turnover on the sideline in the game’s waning seconds, ultimately sealed the loss.

Wisconsin’s poise at the free-throw line proved decisive. Tonje, who led the Badgers with 17 points, was perfect from the stripe, going 10-for-10. Blackwell and forward Steven Crowl added 15 and 14 points, respectively.

The Buckeyes can take solace in their resilience, showing heart and determination against a top-25 opponent. Yet, the first-half struggles served as a stark reminder of the need for a full 40-minute effort.

Ohio State returns to action Friday at Value City Arena, hosting a strong Indiana squad. With a chance to regroup and refocus, the Buckeyes aim to turn their January fortunes around and defend their home court.

While the loss stings, Ohio State fans can take pride in their team’s fight. There’s plenty of season left, and with adjustments and continued effort, the Buckeyes remain poised to make their mark in Big Ten play.