Eric Boggs
Dominating a conference opponent in February is always a welcome sight, and Ohio State delivered an emphatic performance against Washington on Wednesday night. The Buckeyes controlled the game from start to finish, never allowing their lead to dip below 15 points in the second half after an offensive outburst late in the first. A stretch of 10 consecutive made field goals before halftime gave Ohio State complete command of the game, setting the stage for a convincing 93-69 victory at Value City Arena.
Ohio State (15-10, 7-7 Big Ten) put on a shooting clinic, connecting on 58.2% of its attempts from the field, including a blistering 61.1% from beyond the arc. The trio of John Mobley Jr., Micah Parrish, and Bruce Thornton led the charge once again, scoring 21, 21, and 17 points, respectively. Thornton also orchestrated the offense effectively, finishing with a game-high five assists.
After calls for more production from the frontcourt, centers Aaron Bradshaw and Sean Stewart responded with one of their best collective performances of the season. Bradshaw contributed 12 points, three rebounds, a block, and a steal, while Stewart added six points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. The Buckeyes controlled the glass, outrebounding Washington 34-22. The Huskies, now 12-12 (3-10 Big Ten), were led by Zoom Diallo, Tyler Davis, and DJ Davis, who each recorded 14 points in a losing effort.
Ohio State’s offense was unstoppable in the first half, shooting 66.7% from the field and matching that percentage from three-point range. The Buckeyes set the tone early with their defensive intensity, forcing three steals in the first five minutes, which led to six quick points. Mobley Jr. drilled a deep three-pointer to put Ohio State ahead 11-8 at the first media timeout, sparking a dominant stretch.
That basket ignited an 8-0 run, capped by another three from Mobley—this time off the dribble with a defender contesting. Washington’s Keion Brooks Jr. responded with five straight points, but Bradshaw answered with his fifth three-pointer of the season to keep momentum firmly on Ohio State’s side. A traditional three-point play from Thornton extended the lead to nine, setting the stage for the Buckeyes’ most electrifying offensive sequence of the night.
A putback by Stewart kicked off an incredible stretch in which Ohio State converted 10 consecutive field goals. The scoring barrage featured multiple threes from Mobley and Parrish, another deep make from Bradshaw, and a tough and-one finish by Parrish. While the Buckeyes committed six turnovers during this period, their efficiency more than compensated, allowing them to stretch the lead to 51-34 before heading into the locker room with a 51-36 advantage.
The Buckeyes wasted no time increasing their lead in the second half. A layup from Stewart and a smooth floater from Thornton pushed the margin past 20 points. Washington attempted to respond with back-to-back threes from Wilhelm Breidenbach, but Stewart reenergized Ohio State’s defense with a thunderous block that sent the ball flying. Inside baskets from Bradshaw and Evan Mahaffey extended the lead to 68-47 at the under-12 media timeout.
Thornton continued to impose his will, sinking two free throws before showcasing his signature step-back three-pointer, further padding the advantage at 73-50. Mobley’s breakaway layup and another three from Parrish fueled an 11-2 run, ballooning the lead to 30 points. With the game well in hand, the Buckeyes emptied the bench, allowing the reserves to close things out.
The only disappointment for the Schottenstein Center crowd came in the form of a missed opportunity for free Chick-fil-A, as Ohio State finished one assist shy of the required total. Still, the dominant performance provided plenty to cheer about as the Buckeyes cruised to victory.
Next up, Ohio State will host archrival Michigan on Sunday at Value City Arena. The Wolverines, ranked No. 20 and sitting atop the Big Ten standings, will present a significant challenge. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on CBS.
For Ohio State, the game marked a milestone for Bradshaw, who hit multiple three-pointers in a single contest for the first time in his career. It was also the Buckeyes’ first Quad 3 matchup for NCAA Tournament evaluation, as all previous games this season fell into the Quad 1, 2, or 4 categories. While this was Ohio State’s first Big Ten meeting with Washington, the programs had previously faced off 12 times, with the Huskies holding an 8-5 advantage in the all-time series.
