Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans who stayed up to witness the Buckeyes’ clash with Minnesota were treated to one of the most chaotic and thrilling college basketball finishes of the year. The Buckeyes narrowly escaped with an 89-88 double-overtime victory.
From the opening tip, it was clear this was going to be a battle. With ten ties and 24 lead changes, neither team held control for long. The first half was marked by offensive struggles and touchy officiating, leaving both teams shooting under 40%. Minnesota’s Parker Fox scored their first seven points, while Ohio State’s freshman duo of John Mobley Jr. and Colin White provided early sparks. Yet, the half closed with Minnesota on top, 28-27, after a five-point burst.
The second half began with Devin Royal attacking the rim, setting the tone for the Buckeyes’ fight. Both teams traded leads until a quick Minnesota run gave the Gophers a 59-52 advantage with just over five minutes left. Ohio State, however, refused to fold. Micah Parrish’s layup tied the game at 62-62 with two minutes to play. A steal and dunk by Minnesota threatened to seal it, but Mobley’s perfect pass set up Royal for a game-tying dunk with five seconds left. Though Royal missed the go-ahead free throw, the Buckeyes’ defensive hustle sent the game to overtime.
In the first overtime, Minnesota seized a four-point lead, but the Buckeyes chipped away. Parrish’s free throws and Mobley’s poise at the line tied the game at 73-73 after Minnesota faltered from the stripe. Mobley’s clutch performance kept the Buckeyes alive as he sank two more free throws to force double overtime.
The second overtime saw Ohio State finally gain the upper hand. Bruce Thornton’s three-pointer and Aaron Bradshaw’s and-one layup ignited an 8-0 run, giving the Buckeyes an 81-73 lead—their largest of the night. Minnesota fought back valiantly, sinking three triples in the final 16 seconds, but Ohio State’s composure at the free-throw line sealed the win. The Buckeyes hit all eight of their free throws in the second overtime, maintaining just enough of a cushion to emerge victorious.
Devin Royal led Ohio State with 19 points and seven rebounds, including several key plays down the stretch. Bruce Thornton added 18 points, including clutch free throws, and logged a career-high 47 minutes. Ques Glover’s timely contributions in the second overtime, Mobley’s 12 points and four assists, and Micah Parrish’s all-around effort highlighted a balanced attack. The Buckeyes’ ability to convert 29 of 33 free throws (87.9%) stood in stark contrast to Minnesota’s 12 of 27 (44.4%), proving pivotal.
Defensively, the Buckeyes held Minnesota’s Dawson Garcia—who had torched them for 36 points last season—to just five. Despite the Gophers featuring four players with at least 18 points, Ohio State’s late-game execution carried the day.
For Ohio State fans, this road victory was a statement. It marked their first road win of the season, improving to 10-5 overall and 2-2 in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes now return to Value City Arena for a marquee matchup against No. 15 Oregon on Thursday, their first meeting as Big Ten foes. After Monday night’s drama, Ohio State has proven it can thrive under pressure. The challenge now is to build on this momentum.
