The Ohio State Buckeyes staged an impressive comeback to claim victory over the No. 18 Maryland Terrapins, winning 73-70 on Thursday night at Value City Arena. This thrilling game showcased the tenacity of Ohio State, who overcame significant adversity after falling behind by 17 points.
Maryland started strong, rushing out to an 8-0 lead, with their pressure and sharp shooting forcing Ohio State to call for an early timeout. The Terrapins, ranked No. 15 by the NCAA NET, were clinical at the outset, hitting their first seven shots. Rodney Rice contributed significantly, scoring 11 of his 18 points during the first half, helping Maryland build up their cushion.
Going to the break, the Terrapins held a 41-32 lead, with Julian Reese leading their charge, scoring 24 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Reese recorded his 32nd career double-double, marking him as one of just five players to reach over 1,300 points and 900 rebounds for Maryland.
After halftime, Ohio State appeared reinvigorated. Led by Bruce Thornton, who scored 31 points and clinched the game's final moments, they narrowed the gap significantly. The Buckeyes initially struggled, shooting only 36% from the field during the first half, but they warmed up as the second half progressed.
Thornton’s pivotal three-pointer gave the Buckeyes their first lead of the game (67-66) with just over two minutes remaining. This electrifying moment not only lifted the home crowd but also turned the tide of the match.
Following Maryland's two free throws, which put them briefly back on top, Thornton struck again—this time with another three-pointer from the right wing with only 7.4 seconds left, sealing the comeback at 73-70 for Ohio State.
The final stretch of the game highlighted Ohio State's resilience. They outscored Maryland 23-9 over the last seven minutes, showcasing their capacity to perform under pressure when necessary. With this win, the Buckeyes improved their record to 14-9 overall and 6-6 within the Big Ten.
This victory also provided the Buckeyes with another quality win for their NCAA Tournament resume, giving them confidence moving forward as they look to build on this momentum. Coach Jake Diebler’s squad now has three strong wins against ranked opponents, including Kentucky and Purdue. With February's schedule becoming more favorable, Ohio State can position themselves well for postseason contention.
Maryland, meanwhile, dropped to 17-6 and 7-5 in Big Ten play. Their performance was impacted by inefficient shooting, particularly during the second half, where they only managed to convert 25% of their attempts. This marked their first loss as ranked teams this season after having won four straight games leading up to this match.
Despite the loss, Julian Reese’s standout performance remains noteworthy as he continues to solidify his role as one of the stars of the Terrapins this season. The areas of concern for Maryland will be addressed as they prepare to host Rutgers next.
The game saw high tensions and incredible displays from both teams, highlighting the caliber of competition within the Big Ten.
Ohio State will next face Nebraska, equally determined to maintain their winning ways and gain ground heading onto the final stretch of regular-season play.