Eric Boggs
Ohio State did just enough when it mattered most. Playing with a depleted roster and missing several key contributors, the Buckeyes looked dominant early before watching Penn State erase nearly all of an 18-point halftime deficit. When the game tightened and Value City Arena grew uneasy, John Mobley Jr. delivered the composure and shot-making Ohio State needed to close out an 84-78 victory and keep its Big Ten momentum intact.
The Buckeyes improved to 14-6 overall and 6-4 in conference play, thanks largely to another standout performance from Mobley, who continued his torrid January with 25 points, five assists and five made 3-pointers. Amare Bynum added 15 points with his usual physicality, while Devin Royal chipped in 14. Bruce Thornton was limited to nine points, but his five assists and late-game poise still played a role in holding off Penn State’s late push. One of the night’s most encouraging developments came from Taison Chatman, who provided a major spark off the bench with a career-high 11 points and steady energy on both ends of the floor.
The first half was as smooth as Ohio State has looked all season. The Buckeyes shot nearly 67 percent from the field and carved up the Nittany Lions from the opening tip. Mobley and Royal set the tone early, then the bench took over during a decisive 14-2 run that blew the game open. Chatman hit a three and glided in for a transition floater, Puff Johnson powered in a putback through contact against his former team, and Mobley capped the stretch with a deep triple. By the time the Buckeyes headed to the locker room with a 50-32 lead, the game appeared firmly in hand.
Penn State had other ideas. The Nittany Lions opened the second half with a flurry of makes and steadily chipped away at the deficit, with Eli Rice doing the bulk of the damage. As the lead shrank, Ohio State briefly steadied itself behind the unlikely presence of Ivan Njegovan, making his first career start and providing critical minutes inside. But when Penn State finally pulled within a single point, the Buckeyes turned back to their most reliable option. Mobley responded with a personal 5-0 run, then buried another three moments later to restore order and give Ohio State breathing room.
From there, it became a test of nerve and execution. Penn State continued to fight, but timely connections — including a pair of alley-oops from Thornton to Bynum and another calm jumper from Mobley — ensured the Buckeyes never fully surrendered control. It wasn’t pretty, and it certainly wasn’t easy, but in a conference where survival often matters more than style, Ohio State found a way to move forward.
The Buckeyes now turn their attention to a road trip to Madison, where another physical Big Ten test awaits against Wisconsin. Nights like this one, where resilience is required as much as talent, are the kind that shape a team for the long run.
