Eric Boggs
The Ohio State Buckeyes suffered a heartbreaking loss Thursday night, falling 73-71 to the No. 15 Oregon Ducks at Value City Arena. Despite leading for more than 18 minutes of the second half, the Buckeyes (10-6, 2-3) could not secure their third ranked victory of the season. It was a tough pill to swallow for an Ohio State team that has shown flashes of brilliance but continues to struggle with consistency during the 2024-2025 campaign.
The game featured standout performances from both teams. Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle delivered 24 and 21 points, respectively, with Bittle also contributing eight rebounds and three blocks. For Ohio State, Bruce Thornton led the charge with 20 points, while John Mobley Jr. added 16, Sean Stewart contributed a career-high 14, and Micah Parrish chipped in 11.
Ohio State started strong, with early three-pointers from Mobley and Thornton sparking a 10-5 lead. However, Oregon responded with a 7-0 run to regain momentum. The teams traded baskets for much of the first half until an 8-0 Buckeye run broke a 23-23 tie. Key plays included a two-handed slam from Stewart, a three-pointer from Devin Royal, and a layup from Parrish, giving Ohio State a 32-27 edge at halftime.
The second half saw the Buckeyes extend their lead to nine points, fueled by Mobley’s perimeter shooting and Thornton’s mid-range accuracy. Parrish added two crucial three-pointers to keep Oregon at bay, and Ohio State appeared poised to maintain control. However, the Ducks steadily chipped away at the lead, with timely contributions from Bittle and Keeshawn Barthelemy. A Shelstad three-pointer with 1:35 remaining gave Oregon its first lead since the early minutes of the game at 68-67.
Ohio State responded admirably. Mobley hit two clutch free throws following a steal, briefly putting the Buckeyes back on top, 71-70, with just 12.6 seconds to play. But Shelstad drew a foul on the ensuing possession and calmly sank both free throws to reclaim the lead for Oregon. Thornton’s attempt at a game-winning three-pointer fell short, and Bittle secured the rebound to seal the Ducks’ victory.
The loss drops Ohio State to 10-6 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play, continuing an up-and-down season highlighted by marquee wins over Kentucky and Texas but marred by blowout losses to Maryland and Auburn. While the team has shown the ability to compete against top-tier opponents, it has struggled to close out games like Thursday’s against Oregon.
Takeaways from the game include Oregon’s resilience, as the Ducks improved to 6-1 this season when trailing at halftime. Ohio State’s offensive execution faltered late, with the team hitting just one of its final seven shots in the first half and struggling to find key buckets down the stretch. The Buckeyes’ inability to hold their lead underscores the need for more consistent late-game execution.
This matchup also carried historical significance. It marked Ohio State’s first loss to Oregon since the 1939 NCAA championship game, when the Webfoots claimed the title in a 46-33 victory. The Buckeyes still lead the all-time series 3-2.
Ohio State now looks ahead to a critical road test against Wisconsin at the Kohl Center on Tuesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. on Peacock. As the season progresses, the Buckeyes must find a way to build on their potential and string together consistent performances to solidify their standing in the Big Ten and beyond.
