Eric Boggs
Ohio State needed a win like this, erasing a 14-point second-half deficit and surviving two overtimes to earn a statement 89-88 victory over West Virginia. In a game that demanded composure and courage, the Buckeyes leaned on their leader when it mattered most, and Bruce Thornton delivered once again.
With the clock winding down in the second overtime and Ohio State trailing by one, Thornton took control. He drove into traffic, stopped on a dime, pivoted, pump-faked, and calmly floated the ball through contact with fewer than four seconds remaining. The Buckeyes then forced a turnover on the other end, sealing one of their most impressive wins of the young season.
Thornton finished with 21 points, but this victory was about far more than one shot. Freshman forward Amare Bynum announced his arrival in a big way, posting 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists while igniting the comeback with 11 second-half points. John Mobley Jr. added 17 points and filled the stat sheet, while Christoph Tilly recorded a complete performance with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Devin Royal chipped in a double-double of his own with 11 points and 10 rebounds, giving Ohio State five players in double figures.
The game didn’t begin smoothly for either side. Both teams struggled to find rhythm early, combining to hit just five of their first 21 shots. Mobley provided an early spark for the Buckeyes with a pair of three-pointers and trips to the line, but Ohio State’s offense stalled midway through the half. West Virginia capitalized with a 12-2 run, while Ohio State closed the opening 20 minutes shooting just 31 percent from the floor. Despite forcing the Mountaineers into poor shooting, the Buckeyes entered halftime trailing 37-27.
West Virginia pushed the lead to as many as 14 early in the second half, threatening to put the game away. Instead, Ohio State responded with its most determined stretch of basketball this season. Bynum attacked relentlessly, scoring from multiple spots on the floor, and the Buckeyes began stringing together defensive stops and timely buckets. An 8-0 run brought Ohio State back within striking distance before a controversial foul call sparked a technical on Jake Diebler, temporarily swinging momentum back to West Virginia.
The Buckeyes refused to fold. A late 7-0 surge gave Ohio State its first lead of the game at 68-66 with just over a minute remaining. After the Mountaineers tied the game, neither team scored in the final seconds of regulation, sending the game to overtime.
The drama only intensified from there. The first overtime was a grind of tough shots and free throws, highlighted by a deep West Virginia three and a Devin Royal free throw that forced a second extra session. In the second overtime, Thornton and West Virginia traded clutch baskets before Thornton’s final drive provided the decisive blow.
After struggling for much of the night, Ohio State was at its best when the pressure peaked. The Buckeyes played with poise, shared the ball, defended with purpose, and trusted their leader when the moment demanded it.
Now, momentum carries forward. Ohio State heads into a marquee matchup with No. 14 North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic, armed with confidence and a reminder of just how dangerous this group can be when it stays connected. Saturday night was more than a win—it was a statement about who these Buckeyes are becoming.
