Eric Boggs
Ohio State wasted no time asserting complete control on Thursday night, overwhelming Western Michigan that left no doubt about the Buckeyes’ direction this season. In a game that allowed Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler to go deep into his bench, the Buckeyes stormed to a 91-58 victory and moved to 5-0, continuing their early-season rise on the court.
A balanced scoring attack defined the night for Ohio State, with five players reaching double figures. Christoph Tilly led the group with 17 points while adding seven assists, constantly serving as the engine of the offense. John Mobley Jr. contributed 15 points, Bruce Thornton added 11, Devin Royal put up 10 and freshman forward Amare Bynum delivered a breakout performance with 12 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, his first in his college career. Royal joined him with a double-double of his own, finishing with 10 rebounds as well.
The Buckeyes have dealt with slow starts at times this season, but that trend was nowhere to be found against the Broncos. Two early dunks from Brandon Noel sparked an 8-0 run fueled entirely at the rim, setting the tone for a 15-4 advantage. Western Michigan briefly cut into the lead with a few threes, but Ohio State answered with a devastating 17-0 run punctuated by Mobley’s five quick points and a transition three from Tilly. Bynum added energy with five points during the stretch, all helping fuel an extended 31-7 burst that completely broke open the game.
The highlight of the first half—and perhaps the night—came when Bynum hammered home an outrageous alley-oop from Royal, pushing the margin to 41-14. With nearly 24 minutes still on the clock, the outcome already felt secure. Threes from Thornton and Scotty Middleton Chatman only widened the separation as Ohio State carried a commanding 49-24 lead into the break.
The Buckeyes opened the second half with another burst, this time a 9-0 run powered by Tilly, including a coast-to-coast steal and finish that reflected the dominance Ohio State was imposing on both ends. At 62-28, the Buckeyes had full command and much of the remainder of the game featured contributions from the bench.
Depth continued to shine as Ivan Njegovan and Gabe Cupps added three points apiece during an 11-0 run that ballooned the lead to 73-30. The advantage never dipped below 35 the rest of the way, underscoring complete control from start to finish.
Ohio State now turns its attention to Mount Saint Mary’s on Tuesday, with a chance to extend its perfect start to 6-0. Under Diebler, the Buckeyes continue to play with confidence, connection and a growing sense of momentum that fans are starting to notice, even if it is with great caution.
