Ohio State bounced back from a tough loss with one of its best performances of the season on Tuesday. The Buckeyes defeated No. 24 Wisconsin 86-69, keeping their NCAA Tournament dreams alive.
Devin Royal led the charge in the first half, while Bruce Thornton took over in the second. Amare Bynum and Taison Chatman also chipped in valuable points. This win marked Ohio State’s first victory against a ranked opponent this season.
Royal scored a season-high 25 points, and 16 of those came in the first half. Thornton finished strongly with 27 points, nearly achieving a triple-double with nine rebounds and eight assists. Bynum added 13 points, while Chatman contributed 11.
For Wisconsin, guard Braeden Carrington was the standout, sinking 19 points, including several tough three-pointers.
In the first half, Royal quickly made his mark, scoring seven points in the first four minutes. His strong play set the tone for Ohio State, who took an early 12-6 lead. Royal’s combination of sharp shooting and assists kept Wisconsin at bay as the Buckeyes pulled away, leading 38-26 by halftime.
The team’s defense was impressive, holding Wisconsin to just one 3-pointer in the first half. Ohio State capitalized on turnovers, scoring nine points off Wisconsin’s mistakes.
In the second half, Thornton came alive. He found his rhythm and helped extend the lead to 15 points. Each time Wisconsin seemed to gain momentum, Royal and Thornton snuffed it out with key baskets, pushing the Buckeyes’ lead to as much as 20 points.
As the game wound down, Coach Jake Diebler subbed Thornton out to give him a well-deserved ovation from the crowd. Ohio State ultimately controlled the game, finishing strong.
Looking ahead, Ohio State will travel to East Lansing to face No. 15 Michigan State on Sunday. The game will be crucial as they seek to further secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament.
### Insights and Reactions
Interestingly, this victory came after Ohio State had struggled against ranked teams, going 0-6 prior to this game. According to recent NCAA statistics, only about 30% of teams with similar records have made it to the tournament. This turnaround was crucial not just for Ohio State’s ranking but also for team morale.
Fans took to social media celebrating the win, with many praising Royal’s quick resurgence and Thornton’s leadership. The game’s electric atmosphere was evident online, with hashtags like #BuckeyeStrong trending shortly after the final buzzer.
Thornton’s performance also sparked discussions about his legacy. With his impressive scoring, he’s just 92 points away from becoming the all-time leading scorer for the Buckeyes, surpassing Dennis Hopson’s record. As more fans and analysts recognize his potential, the spotlight will surely grow brighter as the season progresses.
This game is a testament to Ohio State’s ability to bounce back. What’s next for them remains to be seen, but with players like Royal and Thornton on the court, they’re poised to make waves in the tournament chase.
Source link
