College basketball took center stage this past weekend as Ohio State and Iowa delivered stunning performances, each securing significant victories over ranked opponents and showcasing resilience on the court.
At Madison Square Garden, Ohio State shocked the college basketball world by defeating No. 4 Kentucky 85-65. The Buckeyes were led by star guard Bruce Thornton, who erupted for 30 points, guiding his team to its eighth win of the season, now standing at 8-4 overall. This victory marks the Buckeyes' resilience after suffering a heavy 91-53 loss to No. 2 Auburn just the previous week.
One of the standout stories of the game was Aaron Bradshaw, who scored 11 points against his former team after missing over a month of play due to university investigations linked to an alleged domestic incident. Bradshaw rejoined the lineup on December 9, and his return added significant depth to the Buckeyes' strategy. He quickly made his presence felt, sinking his initial two shots as he entered the game with 17:46 left on the clock.
Ohio State had established control by halftime, leading 39-30 thanks to their impressive shooting performance, hitting 63 percent of their field goals. The Buckeyes also dominated the paint, outscoring Kentucky 24-10 during the first half. Amidst these efforts, John Mobley Jr. contributed 15 points, reinforcing the team's scoring capabilities.
On the other side of the court, Kentucky, under new head coach Mark Pope, struggled to maintain momentum. While Otega Oweh scored 21 points and Andrew Carr added 13, the Wildcats fell behind early and could never regain their footing. Despite climbing to within six points at 51-45, Kentucky could not withstand Ohio State's strong answering runs, which included a decisive 7-0 stretch pushing the Buckeyes back to a comfortable 15-point lead.
Meanwhile, on another front at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Iowa's Payton Sandfort led his team to victory with 24 points, as the Hawkeyes came from behind to secure a thrilling 95-88 win against Utah. Sandfort's outstanding second-half performance, where he tallied 19 of his total points, played a pivotal role in turning around what once stood as an 11-point deficit at halftime.
The Hawkeyes demonstrated excellent teamwork and determination, with all five starters scoring in double figures. Notably, Lawson Lovering shone for Utah, netting 25 points, and Mason Madsen added 24 points, including six three-pointers. Despite Utah's strong start after halftime, where they launched a 7-0 run for a 47-36 lead, Iowa chipped away at the deficit. They eventually tied the game at 63-63, propelled by Sandfort’s six consecutive points.
From there, the teams exchanged leads before Iowa’s decisive play late in the game. After establishing their advantage at the 6:45 mark, the Hawkeyes surged forward, driven by strong offensive plays. The final minutes saw Iowa extend their lead to ten points after Josh Dix’s layup, showcasing their ability to close out the game effectively. This win also marked Iowa's first-ever triumph against Utah, following prior defeats, including one during last spring's NIT.
Both games underscored the volatility and excitement inherent to college basketball, with teams overcoming adversity and reinventing themselves as they approach the midpoint of the season. Ohio State and Iowa have now solidified their standings, with promising outlooks as they progress through the rest of the season.
