For the second year in a row, Ohio State basketball faced an unexpected defeat against Pitt with a buzzer-beater. This time, Panther guard Damarco Minor launched a shot from half-court, sealing Ohio State’s first loss of the 2025-26 season.
In the game, Pitt edged out Ohio State, finishing 67 to 66. Minor led Pitt, contributing 18 points alongside teammates Cameron Corhen and Barry Dunning Jr. who also scored 18 each. Amidst the action, Ohio State struggled with rebounding, particularly on the offensive glass, where Pitt secured 16 offensive rebounds compared to Ohio State’s six.
Devin Royal stepped up for the Buckeyes, scoring 22 points. Bruce Thornton added 18 points of his own, but the team faced setbacks when star guard John Mobley Jr. exited due to an ankle injury in the first half. Ohio State also battled with turnovers, committing 13 while Pitt recorded just five.
Pitt quickly gained momentum, racing to a 16-4 lead. Early struggles for Ohio State included shooting just 2-of-7 from the field. Their best scoring stretch occurred midway through the first half, highlighted by Mobley Jr.’s three-pointer that ignited an 11-0 run. Yet, turnovers and poor defensive rebounding plagued the Buckeyes who entered halftime trailing by 10, 34-24.
In a spirited start to the second half, Royal’s energy brought life back into the game. He scored consecutive layups, followed by a three-pointer, narrowing the deficit to just four points. With the pace tightening, both teams exchanged leads multiple times, showcasing a thrilling back-and-forth.
As tensions rose, Ohio State reached a 66-64 lead with just seconds to spare. However, Minor’s last-second shot transformed the tide once more, marking Ohio State’s second consecutive loss to Pitt in this manner. Last season, they experienced a similar heartbreak when Zack Austin hit a buzzer-beater in overtime.
As the Buckeyes move on, they prepare for their Big Ten opener against Northwestern on December 6, seeking to bounce back and recover from this heartbreaking defeat. The matchup promises to be another test for Ohio State, especially with the absence of Mobley Jr., who will be assessed in the coming days.
This game serves as a reminder of the intensity and unpredictability of college basketball, where a single moment can shift the fate of a match. With statistics showing over 20% of college basketball games this season have been decided by five points or fewer, this pattern may continue to challenge teams like Ohio State as they navigate their season.
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