Eric Boggs
Ohio State has hit its stride in January, achieving its first three-game winning streak in the month in three years. Even more impressively, two of those victories have come on the road, reinforcing the Buckeyes’ growing momentum as they battle through conference play.
With a commanding 83-64 win at Penn State, Ohio State (13-8, 5-5 Big Ten) evened its conference record, following up an upset over No. 11 Purdue and a gritty victory against Iowa. The Buckeyes dominated the boards, outmuscling the Nittany Lions 41-23, including an impressive 13 offensive rebounds. That relentless effort translated into an overwhelming 18-4 advantage in second-chance points, setting the tone for the game.
Freshman guard John Mobley Jr. continues to emerge as a pivotal offensive force, leading the Buckeyes with 19 points and contributing eight assists. Bruce Thornton, Ohio State’s floor general, added 17 points, while Devin Royal chipped in 15. Penn State’s Yanic Konan Niederhauser led all scorers for the Nittany Lions with 21 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to counter Ohio State’s relentless attack.
From the opening tip, the Buckeyes established themselves as the more physical and determined team. They controlled the first half on both ends of the floor, outworking Penn State on the glass with a 23-12 rebounding advantage. Mobley and Thornton knocked down early three-pointers, while Royal’s interior presence helped build an 18-11 lead.
Defensive intensity has been a hallmark of Ohio State’s recent success, and that trend continued. The Buckeyes stifled Penn State, limiting the Nittany Lions to just 14 points through the first 11 minutes. Mobley’s second three-pointer of the half stretched the lead to 23-14, and despite a brief Penn State push, Ohio State countered with a well-executed sequence: a baseline jumper from James Parrish, a Thornton three, and back-to-back buckets from Royal. By halftime, the Buckeyes had seized control with a 43-33 lead.
Penn State attempted to rally early in the second half as Zach Hicks drilled a pair of three-pointers, cutting the deficit to six. However, Ohio State responded with the poise of a team finding its rhythm. A Royal dunk and a mid-range jumper from Ques Glover pushed the lead back to 10. Second-chance efforts continued to fuel the Buckeyes, with Sean Stewart’s tip-in maintaining the advantage.
Momentum fully swung in Ohio State’s favor when Thornton hit a deep three from the top of the key, then buried another from the left corner to stretch the lead to 15. A pair of free throws from Ivan Njegovan extended the cushion to 17, and when Thornton drilled his signature step-back three-pointer, the result was all but sealed. Mobley added another dagger, pushing the lead to 20, and Ohio State coasted to a 19-point victory.
With this win, Ohio State improved its all-time series record against Penn State to 41-20. The Buckeyes have been remarkably consistent from the free-throw line, shooting at least 74% in seven straight games, including five performances of 80% or better. Despite missing freshman wing Colin White due to a lower-body injury and Meechie Johnson Jr. for personal reasons, the Buckeyes displayed their depth and resilience.
Foul trouble was a storyline, particularly for Aaron Bradshaw, who picked up four fouls in just seven minutes and eventually fouled out. Sean Stewart also fouled out after just 13 minutes on the floor. Nevertheless, Ohio State remains 10-4 this season when Mobley reaches double figures, emphasizing his growing impact.
The Buckeyes now shift their focus to their most challenging remaining regular-season road game, a Sunday showdown at No. 18 Illinois. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. on CBS, where Ohio State will look to continue its surge and solidify its standing in the Big Ten race.
