Ohio State shocked the college basketball world with a thrilling 73-70 upset against No. 11 Purdue at Mackey Arena, marking the end of the Boilermakers’ formidable 26-game home winning streak. The Buckeyes rallied from a staggering 16-point deficit, showcasing resilience and tenacity during the intense Big Ten matchup on Tuesday night.
Mackey Arena has long been regarded as a fortress for Purdue, where the team had enjoyed immense success, particularly during the 2022-23 season. Yet, on this occasion, Ohio State seized the opportunity to turn their season around and end their own three-game losing streak. Micah Parrish emerged as the hero of the night, scoring 22 points, including six 3-pointers, with 11 of those points coming in the final six minutes of the game.
The Buckeyes (11-8, 3-5 Big Ten) had been struggling, faced with the ghost of close losses and injury challenges to their squad, but their efforts were finally rewarded. Devin Royal also contributed significantly, adding 16 points to the scoreboard, and Indiana native Bruce Thornton rounded out the scoring with 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists, helping his team to pull off this exhilarating comeback.
After falling behind 41-28 at halftime, the Buckeyes began the second half determined to cut the deficit. A remarkable 10-0 run opened the half, igniting the Buckeyes’ scoring. Parrish drilled back-to-back 3-pointers, giving Ohio State its first lead of the night at 45-43, much to the dismay of the home crowd. This momentum shift exemplified the Buckeyes’ resilience and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Meanwhile, Purdue (15-5, 7-2) had been riding high, entering the game on a seven-game winning streak. Their strong start initially put them in command, with standout performances from Trey Kaufman-Renn, who finished with 26 points, and Fletcher Loyer, who contributed 15. Purdue’s offense had been potent all season long, but against Ohio State’s persistent pressure, cracks began to show as the game progressed.
The turning point came with under two minutes remaining, where Parrish again took control—his jumper gave Ohio State the upper hand at 70-67. The Boilermakers, racing against time, had their chances, but Ohio State’s defense held firm. Kaufman-Renn attempted to rally Purdue back, scoring eight straight points, narrowing the gap to just one point (68-67) with only a minute to play.
Ohio State responded decisively, with John Mobley Jr. hitting a clutch jumper from the corner before Devin Royal iced the game with two free throws, sealing the victory at 73-70. This victory not only marked Ohio State's first win over Purdue since 2022 but also alleviated their recent struggles, giving coach Jake Diebler and his team newfound confidence moving forward.
Purdue faced issues throughout the match, particularly with their 3-point shooting, finishing at only 30% with 3-of-10 attempts. Their inability to convert from beyond the arc was compounded by turning the ball over, allowing the Buckeyes to capitalize on wasted opportunities. The Boilermakers came out cold in the second half, making early turnovers costly as Ohio State seized control.
Next, Ohio State will look to build on this momentum as they host Iowa, hoping to translate this victory to sustained success. Conversely, Purdue's loss puts them back to the drawing board as they prepare to host No. 21 Michigan, determined to reclaim their winning form.
The match illustrated the unpredictability and passion of college basketball, where each game can flip the narrative on any team’s season. With both teams eyeing the postseason, their resilience and ability to adapt will be pivotal as the conference races heat up.