Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament aspirations were on the line in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and the Buckeyes responded with a resilient performance, narrowly securing a crucial victory. Despite a furious second-half comeback by USC, Ohio State (16-13, 8-10 Big Ten) held on for an 87-82 road win, earning a significant Quad 1 victory and snapping a three-game losing streak.
The Buckeyes established early dominance, surging to a 14-point halftime lead behind a blistering shooting display. Ohio State opened the game with an extraordinary 8-for-8 performance from three-point range, setting the tone for what appeared to be a commanding effort. The starting backcourt trio of Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr., and Micah Parrish led the charge, recording 20, 18, and 20 points, respectively. Forward Devin Royal provided additional scoring support with 13 points, giving the Buckeyes four players in double figures.
USC, however, refused to go quietly. Led by guard Wesley Yates III, who scored 27 points—20 of which came in the second half—the Trojans battled back, eventually tying the contest in the game’s final moments. Guard Chibuzo Agbo added 17 points for USC, playing a key role in the Trojans’ late surge.
Ohio State’s offensive efficiency was on full display in the first half. Having struggled with shooting in recent losses to Northwestern and UCLA, the Buckeyes shattered those trends by hitting 14 of their first 17 shots, building a 36-21 advantage within the first 14 minutes. The team’s flawless 5-for-5 start from three-point range, featuring contributions from Mobley, Thornton, Parrish, and Aaron Bradshaw, underscored a dominant stretch of play. Mobley’s deep, contested three further emphasized Ohio State’s offensive prowess, contributing to an 8-for-8 team start from beyond the arc before a rare miss. By halftime, the Buckeyes had posted an astonishing 73.1% shooting percentage, including 88.9% from three, marking the best shooting half by any Big Ten team this season.
The second half, however, presented a different challenge. USC opened with a trio of three-pointers, setting the stage for a determined comeback. Royal responded with a pair of three-point plays—one traditional and one from beyond the arc—but the Trojans steadily chipped away at Ohio State’s lead. Yates led the charge, attacking the rim and converting multiple and-one opportunities, cutting the Buckeyes’ advantage to just three points with under five minutes remaining.
With Ohio State’s offense cooling off, USC’s momentum continued to build. Desmond Claude’s coast-to-coast layup made it a one-point game at 76-75, and a nearly four-minute scoring drought put the Buckeyes in jeopardy. However, Ohio State’s composure at the free-throw line proved critical. The Buckeyes, who shot an impressive 84.6% from the charity stripe, converted key attempts down the stretch. Thornton and Royal knocked down four consecutive free throws to reestablish an 80-75 lead, but USC quickly answered, tying the game once again in the final minute.
Royal refused to let the Buckeyes falter. With the game hanging in the balance, he executed a strong spin move to the basket, finishing through contact to give Ohio State an 83-80 lead with 41 seconds left. Parrish then delivered a clutch defensive play, forcing a steal and drawing a foul on Claude, who fouled out in the process. Parrish’s free throws pushed the lead to 84-80 with just 26 seconds remaining. Although Evan Mahaffey fouled out on the ensuing possession, USC failed to capitalize, and a missed three-pointer by Yates in the final seconds sealed Ohio State’s victory.
The Buckeyes will now turn their attention to their final home game of the season against Nebraska on Tuesday, seeking to avenge an earlier loss to the Cornhuskers. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. on Peacock.
The win also provided much-needed relief for a team that has battled illness in recent weeks. Mobley and Stewart showed signs of recovery, while Bradshaw returned to the lineup after missing two games. With the victory, Ohio State strengthened its position in the Big Ten Tournament standings, now holding a 1.5-game advantage with two regular-season contests remaining.
This game also marked the first meeting between Ohio State and USC since 1997, with the Buckeyes improving to 5-3 all-time against the Trojans. Notably, Ohio State legends Evan Turner and William Buford were in attendance, witnessing a performance that could be pivotal for the Buckeyes’ postseason hopes.
