Buckeyes Grit Out Win Over Penn State Amid Winter Storm and Injury Woes
On a night when the roads were barely passable and the crowd was thinned by a foot of snow, Ohio State found a way to grind out a gutsy 84-78 win over Penn State at the Schottenstein Center. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was the kind of win that reveals a team’s backbone - especially with the Buckeyes missing key pieces and trying to bounce back from a frustrating loss to Michigan.
Let’s set the scene: Central Ohio was still digging out from a winter storm that dumped 12 inches of snow on Sunday. Classes at Ohio State were canceled through Tuesday, and road conditions didn’t improve until midday Monday, when Franklin County downgraded the emergency level just enough to allow the game to proceed. With only around 4,000 fans able to make it to The Schott, the atmosphere was subdued - but the stakes were anything but.
Penn State had already been in town since Saturday, stuck at their hotel due to the snow emergency. They managed a walkthrough in a hotel ballroom, not exactly ideal preparation for a Big Ten road game. But with the calendar packed and no room for rescheduling, both teams knew this one had to go forward.
Buckeyes Battle Through Injuries
Ohio State came into this game short-handed - and that’s putting it lightly. Gabe Cupps, the backup point guard, went down with a foot injury on Saturday.
Starting center Christoph Tilly tried to give it a go in shootaround but was ultimately ruled out. Brandon Noel, still on crutches with a lingering foot injury, missed his sixth straight game.
That’s three rotation players out, including two frontcourt pieces, which meant others had to step up - and they did.
Freshman Ivan Njegovan was thrust into his first career start at center and held his own. In 20 scrappy minutes, he chipped in eight points, three rebounds, and two blocks before fouling out late. It wasn’t flashy, but it was exactly what the Buckeyes needed - a physical presence in the paint who could eat minutes and compete.
Mobley Stays Hot, Chatman Breaks Through
John Mobley Jr. continued his emergence as a go-to scorer, dropping 25 points with five assists and three steals. He was efficient, too - 7-of-14 from the field, 5-of-11 from deep, and perfect at the stripe.
Mobley’s confidence is growing by the game, and he’s showing he can be more than just a shooter. He’s becoming a creator and a closer - and the Buckeyes needed every bit of it.
Taison Chatman, whose Ohio State career has been slowed by knee injuries, had a breakthrough performance. Coming off the bench, he poured in a career-high 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting in a career-high 17 minutes. His two clutch free throws in the final seconds helped seal the win, and more importantly, his play hinted at a growing role moving forward.
Bynum and Royal Bounce Back
Amare Bynum, another freshman, had struggled in recent outings but found his rhythm here. He scored 15 points, grabbed five boards, and added three steals - a strong two-way performance that helped keep Ohio State afloat during Penn State’s second-half surge.
Devin Royal, who had a season-low four points against Michigan, responded with 14 points in this one. He looked more assertive and more comfortable, attacking with purpose and finishing at the rim. For a team dealing with injuries, getting production from young players like Royal and Bynum is critical.
Thornton Quiet, But Steady
Bruce Thornton didn’t light up the box score - just nine points - but he ran the show with poise. In 37 minutes, he handed out five assists, swiped three steals, and didn’t commit a single turnover. That kind of floor general play is easy to overlook, but it’s the glue that holds everything together, especially on a night when the roster was stretched thin.
Puff Johnson Finds the Floor
Puff Johnson, the veteran transfer from North Carolina and Penn State, got his first basket as a Buckeye and logged 14 minutes. He added three rebounds and gave the team a steady presence off the bench. After recently winning a court case to secure a sixth year of eligibility, Johnson is still finding his rhythm, but his experience could prove valuable as the season wears on.
Penn State Pushes Late, But Buckeyes Hold
To their credit, Penn State didn’t fold. Down 50-32 at the half, the Nittany Lions clawed all the way back, cutting the lead to one at 60-59 and staying within striking distance until the final seconds.
Eli Rice was the catalyst, scoring 20 points and hitting six threes. His triple with 23.1 seconds left made it a two-point game, but Ohio State iced it at the line - Mobley and Chatman each calmly sank a pair to shut the door.
Penn State, now 0-9 in Big Ten play, continues to search for answers. But their fight in this one - especially after being snowed in for two days - shouldn’t go unnoticed.
What’s Next
Ohio State (14-6, 6-4 Big Ten) now heads to Madison for a road test against Wisconsin on Saturday. The Badgers are also 14-6 but sit slightly ahead in the conference standings at 6-3. They’re coming off a surprising 73-71 home loss, so expect a fired-up crowd and a physical battle.
But if the Buckeyes can bring the same grit they showed Monday night - even without key pieces - they’ll be in the fight. And with Mobley heating up, Chatman emerging, and the young core growing more confident, this team is starting to find its identity.