Ohio State punched their ticket to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, but not without a nail-biting finish against Iowa. The Buckeyes edged out a 72-69 victory in the Big Ten Tournament's third round, setting the stage for a showdown with top-seeded Michigan in the quarterfinals.
Ohio State built a comfortable 16-point lead with 14 minutes left, only to watch it shrink to a single point in the final moments. John Mobley Jr.'s clutch free throws and a missed three by Iowa’s Isaia Howard sealed the deal for the Buckeyes.
Bruce Thornton was the star of the show, racking up 24 points on an impressive 10-of-14 shooting. Christoph Tilly contributed 16 points, going 5-of-6 from the field. Iowa's Bennett Stirtz led his team with 17 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Ohio State's resilience.
First Half Highlights
Ohio State's offense stumbled out of the gate, mirroring their previous struggles against Iowa. After Devin Royal's early layup, the Buckeyes went cold, failing to score a field goal for nearly eight minutes. Despite their shooting woes, Iowa only managed a five-point lead during this stretch.
The Buckeyes found their rhythm with some crafty plays around the rim. Thornton's acrobatic layups and Amare Bynum's powerful dunks energized the team. Ohio State finally took the lead with Bynum's double-clutch layup, and Gabe Cupps added a rare three-pointer to the mix.
Tilly's aggressive play in the paint, drawing fouls and converting free throws, helped Ohio State secure a 32-28 lead at halftime. The Buckeyes dominated inside, outscoring Iowa 22-8 in the paint.
Second Half Action
Tilly and Thornton continued their inside scoring clinic as the second half began, extending Ohio State's lead. Mobley's three-pointer pushed it to 41-33.
Thornton went on a personal 10-0 run, showcasing his versatility with a mix of jumpers and a deep three. This offensive burst gave Ohio State a commanding 51-35 advantage.
Iowa fought back with timely threes and a transition slam, but Thornton's hot hand kept the Buckeyes ahead. Mobley and Stirtz traded threes, and Iowa's persistence cut Ohio State's lead to single digits.
As the game tightened, Tilly and Mobley delivered crucial baskets. Iowa clawed back to within a point, but Mobley's calm under pressure and his clutch free throws kept the Buckeyes afloat.
With the game on the line, Iowa missed two potential game-tying threes, allowing Ohio State to escape with the win.
What’s Next?
Ohio State, the eighth seed, now faces a formidable challenge against No. 1 seed Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. The clash is set for noon on the Big Ten Network.
Game Notes