Los Angeles, CA - The Ohio State Buckeyes renewed their hopes for the NCAA tournament by defeating the USC Trojans 87-82 on Wednesday night at the Galen Center, snapping a disheartening three-game losing streak.
The contest marked Ohio State's second game of their West Coast trip, having suffered previous defeats against UCLA. Despite the rough stretch, the Buckeyes rallied to claim victory, driven by their scoring prowess early in the game and clutch performances down the stretch.
Ohio State surged to command the game right from the tip-off, taking advantage of their strong shooting. They started with one of their best shooting stretches of the season, hitting 73.1% of their shots and 88.9% of their three-pointers during the first half. Guard Bruce Thornton led the way with 14 points by halftime, alongside John Mobley Jr. who contributed 11 points.
"They took it to us at the beginning of the game, and there’s no excuses at all," said USC coach Eric Musselman, noting the difficulties faced by his team coming off early morning travel. After arriving back home at 5 AM before the game, the Trojans initially struggled against the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes capitalized, building their largest lead at 17 points during the first half, leading 52-38 at halftime.
Ohio State's guards—Thornton, Micah Parrish, and Mobley—combined for strong performances throughout the game. Parrish and Thornton each ended up with 20 points, helping maintain the team's energy and rhythm. Devin Royal also notched 13 points, rounding out Ohio State's list of double-figure scorers.
The second half displayed a different story, as USC found their offensive rhythm, shooting 65.2% and making key baskets. Led by freshman Wesley Yates III, who scored 27 points, the Trojans gradually chipped away at the Buckeyes’ lead. They managed to tie the game at 80 with just 1:07 remaining. Yates shot 9 for 16 from the field, showcasing his scoring abilities even as OSU fought to fend off the impending loss.
Ohio State, now 16-13 overall and 8-10 in the Big Ten, needed every point they could muster. Devin Royal put the Buckeyes back on top with an and-one opportunity, scoring with authority and converting the free-throw to take a lead 83-80 with only seconds left on the clock.
Despite the mounting pressure, Ohio State's composure at the free-throw line—where they shot 84.6% for the game—proved pivotal as they secured their narrow lead. After missing potentially game-tying shots, USC's hopes faded with each free throw conversion by the Buckeyes, who held on to their lead until the final buzzer.
This victory is particularly significant for Ohio State as it staves off doubts about their chances of qualifying for the NCAA tournament, which were looming after their previous losses. With just two games left before the Big Ten Tournament, the Buckeyes are now positioned well to capitalize on their momentum against Nebraska next.
Conversely, the loss deepens the woes for USC, dropping them to 14-14 overall, with four consecutive losses and six of their last seven games. The Trojans now face the urgent need to regroup as they prepare to travel for their next game against Oregon.
Moving forward, both teams will need to capitalize on these last fixtures of the regular season as the stakes rise, requiring absolute performance efficiency as they aim for the postseason.