Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s January fall has once again struck. Despite there being a new coach and practically a new roster, the Buckeyes have once again hit a midseason brick wall that former coach Chris Holtmann’s teams were known for. The struggles carried into Friday night, as Ohio State suffered a heartbreaking 77-76 overtime loss to Indiana. This marked the Buckeyes’ third straight defeat, all of which were decided by a combined five points—a cruel reminder of how fine the margins have been.
Heading into this contest, both teams found themselves at a crossroads, with Indiana also reeling from a two-game losing streak. For Ohio State, this felt like a must-win moment, even in January. However, it was not to be. Despite valiant efforts from several key players, the Buckeyes fell short as Bruce Thornton’s final three-point attempt narrowly missed, rattling in and out as time expired in overtime.
Ohio State was led by standout performances from John Mobley Jr., who tallied 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists, Micah Parrish, who added 19 points, four rebounds, and three steals, and Bruce Thornton, who chipped in 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Frustratingly, these three were the only Buckeyes to make more than two field goals, exposing the team’s lack of offensive depth on the night. Indiana, on the other hand, leaned heavily on career nights from Luke Goode, who posted 23 points, and Oumar Ballo, who contributed 21 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists.
The loss leaves Ohio State with a 10-8 overall record and a dismal 2-5 mark in Big Ten play, further underscoring the team’s January woes.
The first half hinted at promise. Ohio State came out strong, building a 33-26 lead late in the half before taking a 35-29 advantage into the break. Parrish was instrumental during this stretch, scoring 12 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting. Thornton added nine points, but the team’s six turnovers to just five assists kept Indiana within striking distance. On the defensive end, the Buckeyes were impressive, holding the Hoosiers to just 33.3% shooting from the field and a woeful 11.1% from three-point range.
However, the second half saw the momentum shift. Indiana found its rhythm offensively, shooting a blistering 55.6% from the field and connecting on 4-of-8 three-pointers. Ohio State fought back with Mobley stepping into the spotlight. The freshman showcased his shooting prowess, scoring 19 points in the second half and draining five of his eight three-point attempts. Yet, the Hoosiers’ 14-3 run midway through the period, including a flurry of nine points in under two minutes, gave Indiana a 68-58 lead that seemed insurmountable.
True to their competitive spirit, the Buckeyes clawed their way back. Mobley’s clutch three-pointer with just 38 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 71, forcing overtime. However, the offensive struggles that plagued Ohio State throughout the night reappeared in the extra period. Despite an early burst from freshman Ivan Njegovan, who scored on a layup and registered a key block, Indiana’s Luke Goode delivered a decisive three-pointer that swung the game in the Hoosiers’ favor. A chaotic final possession saw Mobley’s contested three-point attempt blocked, with the ball ricocheting to Thornton for a last-ditch effort that fell short as the buzzer sounded.
The loss continues a troubling trend for the Buckeyes, who are now 1-4 in January this season and 4-14 across the last three Januaries combined. It’s a pattern that Ohio State fans hoped would end with new leadership, yet the midseason slumps persist.
Looking ahead, the schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Buckeyes travel to West Lafayette on Tuesday to face No. 17 Purdue, a perennial Big Ten powerhouse. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Peacock. It’s a daunting challenge for a team desperately seeking to rediscover its footing.
Adding to Ohio State’s challenges, the team was without Devin Royal, who missed the game due to a sprained wrist. Evan Mahaffey filled in as a starter, but Royal’s absence was undoubtedly felt. If the Buckeyes hope to turn their season around, they’ll need to rally together, sharpen their execution, and find the consistency that has eluded them during these critical January contests.
