Eric Boggs
Indiana State showcased some impressive talent on the court, with Samage Teel and Jaden Daughtry standing out as key players. However, the Sycamores would have needed a legendary performance—perhaps from someone like Larry Bird himself—to overcome Ohio State on Sunday. Bruce Thornton’s career-high 33 points spearheaded an impressive offensive effort by the Buckeyes, as five players scored in double figures during the team’s commanding 103-83 victory. Alongside Thornton, contributions came from Ques Glover (15 points), Devin Royal (13 points), Aaron Bradshaw (13 points), and John Mobley Jr. (11 points). Sean Stewart played a pivotal role in the second half, helping Ohio State outscore Indiana State 51-36, finishing just shy of double digits with nine points.
Ohio State’s offensive efficiency was on full display, with the team shooting 56% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc. The Buckeyes also capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw line, converting 28 of 41 attempts (68%), while Indiana State managed 27 of 32 (84%). Defensively, Ohio State dominated the turnover battle, forcing 19 Sycamore miscues while committing just six themselves.
From the opening tip, the first half was a competitive affair, with both teams exchanging baskets until the first media timeout. Ohio State then seized momentum with a 9-0 run fueled by a Glover three-pointer and baskets from Stewart, Mobley, and Thornton, giving the Buckeyes a 24-15 lead at the 10-minute mark. Indiana State responded with key three-pointers from Bruno Alocen and Camp Wagner, but Glover’s hot hand kept Ohio State ahead, 28-21. Despite Ohio State’s efforts to pull away, the Sycamores remained within striking distance, thanks to timely threes from Teel, Wagner, and K’mani Doughty. By the final media timeout, the score was a close 43-39.
In the final minutes of the first half, Indiana State tied the game at 46 through key contributions from Doughty, Alocen, and Daughtry. However, Ohio State regained control with two free throws from Royal, a Thornton three-pointer, and a free throw from Thornton to enter halftime with a 52-47 lead. Thornton led all scorers with 17 first-half points, while Daughtry paced Indiana State with 12 points. Both teams were efficient offensively, with Ohio State shooting 51.5% from the field and Indiana State slightly better at 53.6%. The Buckeyes connected on 35.7% of their three-point attempts, compared to 45% for the Sycamores.
In the second half, Indiana State encountered early foul trouble, as starters Daughtry, Teel, and Jayan Walker were forced to the bench. Sensing an opportunity, Ohio State aggressively attacked the paint and controlled the boards. Stewart and Royal combined for 13 points and six rebounds in a dominant stretch that pushed the Buckeyes to a 65-53 lead. Following an Indiana State timeout, Ohio State maintained its double-digit advantage with contributions from across the roster, including Thornton, Glover, Mahaffey, White, Mobley, and Bradshaw, extending the lead to 79-64.
From that point, the Buckeyes were firmly in control. While Ohio State briefly struggled from the free-throw line, Thornton’s steady hand helped the team recover, sinking four of their final six attempts. Freshman walk-on Braylen Nash added to the scoring late, sealing the Buckeyes’ emphatic 103-83 victory.
Ohio State’s starting lineup against Indiana State featured Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr., Evan Mahaffey, Devin Royal, and Sean Stewart. Mobley replaced Meechie Johnson (personal reasons), while Mahaffey started in place of Micah Parrish (ankle injury). Aaron Bradshaw, a regular starter, came off the bench in this game. This contest marked the first-ever meeting between Ohio State and Indiana State and was Ohio State’s third 100-point performance of the season, following dominant wins over Campbell and Green Bay in November.
With the non-conference schedule now complete, the Buckeyes turn their attention to Big Ten play. Next, Ohio State will face Michigan State on Friday (FOX, 8 p.m.) in their third conference matchup of the season. The Buckeyes aim to build on their 1-1 conference record, following an 83-59 road loss to Maryland and an 80-66 home victory over Rutgers.
