Eric Boggs
Despite a career-best 30-point performance from Buckeye guard Micah Parrish, Ohio State was unable to overcome Nebraska’s offensive firepower, falling 79-71 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The loss drops the Buckeyes to 14-10 overall and 6-7 in Big Ten play, while Nebraska improves to 16-8 and 6-7 in the conference.
Ohio State struggled to contain Nebraska’s star guard Brice Williams, who delivered a dominant performance with 24 points and 10 rebounds. The Buckeyes’ frontcourt had difficulty defending him and the Huskers inside, often resorting to fouls. Juwan Gary and Berke Buyuktuncel added 19 and 15 points, respectively, further challenging Ohio State’s defense.
Coming off a stellar outing against Maryland, Buckeye point guard Bruce Thornton was unusually quiet, managing just nine points, with only one coming in the second half. Freshman guard John Mobley Jr. provided a bright spot offensively, contributing 21 points in the loss.
Ohio State’s center rotation of Sean Stewart, Aaron Bradshaw, and Ivan Njegovan struggled significantly, combining for just seven rebounds, eight fouls, and a 1-of-8 shooting effort from the field. Their lack of production allowed Nebraska to control the interior and capitalize on second-chance opportunities.
The first half saw Nebraska start with near-flawless shooting, opening 9-of-11 from the field and racing to a 21-12 lead. Williams was particularly lethal, scoring 11 points in the first eight minutes as part of a 13-2 run. However, Parrish responded with an impressive scoring stretch, knocking down key shots to pull the Buckeyes within two.
Ohio State took its first lead at 30-29 after a 12-2 run, with Nebraska cooling off significantly after its red-hot start. The Buckeyes capitalized on the Huskers’ shooting struggles, with Thornton breaking a scoring drought to push the lead to 39-34 at halftime.
Parrish continued his outstanding performance to open the second half, extending Ohio State’s lead to eight with a three-pointer. However, Nebraska quickly answered with an 8-0 run to tie the game. Despite another scoring burst from Parrish, the Huskers capitalized on Buckeye turnovers and defensive lapses, using a 13-0 run to seize control with a 55-48 advantage.
Mobley provided some much-needed scoring support, but Nebraska maintained its edge, taking advantage of free throws and timely baskets. The Buckeyes made a final push, with Parrish and Mobley connecting from deep, closing the gap to 62-60 with under four minutes remaining. However, Nebraska’s Rollie Wooster and Williams responded with clutch shots, while the Huskers continued to make their free throws down the stretch, ultimately securing the victory.
Ohio State now looks to regroup as it returns home for a three-game stretch, beginning with a matchup against Washington on Wednesday. With a chance to bounce back in front of the home crowd, the Buckeyes will aim to regain their momentum in conference play.
