Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans had plenty to cheer about as Bruce Thornton and Devin Royal delivered electrifying performances in a game pivotal to the Buckeyes’ season. Facing the possibility of a three-game skid, the sophomore point guard and freshman forward combined to shoot an incredible 17-of-25 from the field, each scoring 22 points to lead Ohio State to an 80-66 victory over Rutgers. The win not only steadied the Buckeyes (6-3, 1-1 Big Ten) but also showcased their resilience after a heartbreaking overtime loss to Pitt and a lopsided defeat at Maryland.
Thornton and Royal were unstoppable, spearheading a 55.2% shooting effort from Ohio State while keeping the Scarlet Knights at bay down the stretch. Projected NBA lottery pick Dylan Harper put up 15 points for Rutgers (5-4, 0-1 Big Ten), but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Buckeyes’ relentless attack.
The first half saw early fireworks as both teams traded punches. Rutgers’ Emmanuel Ogbole and Jordan Derkack got the Scarlet Knights rolling with strong finishes and sharp perimeter shooting, but Devin Royal quickly countered for the Buckeyes with six early points in the paint. Micah Parrish added a three-pointer to tie the game at 13 with just over 15 minutes left in the half.
Thornton’s smooth shooting stole the spotlight as he scored seven points in the opening eight minutes, including contested baseline jumpers and a three-pointer from the left wing. He continued his hot streak, nailing another baseline jumper to cap a 7-0 run and extend Ohio State’s lead to 31-23. Rutgers responded with a 6-0 run, but Thornton silenced the rally with his second three-pointer from the wing. Freshman John Mobley Jr. electrified the crowd with a step-back three from near half court, giving the Buckeyes a 39-31 halftime edge. Thornton led all scorers with 14 points in the first half, going 6-of-7 from the field, while Ohio State’s crisp ball movement led to 10 assists on 17 made baskets.
In the second half, Rutgers trimmed the lead to four points, but Royal took over with back-to-back baskets, including a gritty offensive rebound and putback. Thornton added fuel to the fire with a steal and one-handed dunk, sending the Value City Arena crowd into a frenzy. Royal continued to dominate, showcasing his versatility with a spin move for a layup, a three-pointer from the top of the key, and a pair of free throws, scoring seven straight points for Ohio State.
Royal’s brilliance didn’t stop there. He converted an and-one layup, hit the free throw, and later recovered a deflected pass for another score, capping his career-best 22-point performance in just 17 minutes of play. Micah Parrish extended Ohio State’s lead to 10 points with a three-pointer, and center Austin Parks delivered a thunderous two-handed slam to put Rutgers on the ropes.
The highlight of the night came with three minutes remaining when Royal lobbed an alley-oop to Sean Stewart for a resounding dunk, sealing the victory and igniting celebrations among fans and coaches alike. Ohio State closed the game strong, hitting their final seven free throws to secure an 80-66 win.
Looking ahead, Ohio State faces a challenging nonconference matchup against No. 2 Auburn at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 14. The game tips off at 1 p.m. and will air on ESPN2, presenting the Buckeyes with an opportunity to build on this critical win.
Ohio State’s victory was marked by several notable moments. Center Aaron Bradshaw remains away from the team pending a university investigation, while Ques Glover and Colin White were unavailable due to injuries. The Buckeyes also extended their all-time record against Rutgers to 12-5. Despite an initially shaky start from the free-throw line (3-of-6), Ohio State finished 10-of-13, showcasing their composure down the stretch.
