Eric Boggs
The Buckeyes’ early-season momentum continued in thrilling fashion as Ohio State cruised past Youngstown State 81-47 on Monday night at Value City Arena. This dominant performance bridges the gap between two high-stakes matchups against ranked foes, with Texas and Texas A&M on the schedule, and showcased just how ready Ohio State is to make noise this season.
Under the guidance of new head coach Jake Diebler, the Buckeyes now sit at 2-0, building confidence and cohesion with every game. Diebler’s defensive schemes were evident, as Ohio State held the Penguins to a paltry 23.7% shooting from the field and just 13.6% from beyond the arc.
Sophomore center Aaron Bradshaw shone bright, logging his first major outing in a Buckeyes uniform since transferring from Kentucky. Bradshaw racked up 16 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and a steal—altering shots all night and setting the tone with his energy on both ends of the floor. “I think it started on the glass,” Diebler said. “He was active on both sides of the ball and played with more poise offensively.”
Freshman phenom John Mobley Jr. continued his red-hot shooting streak, knocking down his first three 3-point attempts to push his Ohio State career to 7-for-7 from deep before finally missing midway through the second half. He finished with 16 points and three assists, adding to a well-rounded offensive attack. Junior Bruce Thornton contributed 12 points, while senior Meechie Johnson Jr. scored 11, and Duke transfer Sean Stewart chipped in 10 points along with seven rebounds.
The Penguins opened the scoring, but Ohio State quickly seized control. Bradshaw’s early five points sparked a 12-0 Buckeyes run, with Johnson adding five of his own. Mobley’s back-to-back threes pushed the lead to double digits at 18-8, and Ohio State never looked back. The Buckeyes clamped down defensively, limiting Youngstown State to just 1-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half, and took a 37-22 lead into the break.
Ohio State put any lingering doubt to rest with a 9-1 run early in the second half, stretching the lead to 48-25. Bradshaw continued to dazzle, scoring six of the first eight points of the half, including a smooth hook shot over Youngstown State’s 7-foot-3 center. Mobley added another three and a three-point play, pushing Ohio State’s lead past 30 with the game firmly in hand.
The Buckeyes rotated in their bench to cap off the game, allowing freshman Braylen Nash to knock down a three-pointer in the closing minute, bringing Value City Arena to its feet. It was a night to celebrate, with seven Buckeyes making their home debut, including Parrish, Stewart, Mobley, and Ques Glover.
Ohio State’s season rolls on with a big test in College Station, Texas, where they’ll take on No. 23 Texas A&M this Friday. This ranked matchup offers a shot at revenge for the Buckeyes, who fell to the Aggies last season in Columbus.
