In a high-stakes, double-overtime thriller on Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio, the Ohio State Buckeyes edged out the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a final score of 116-114.
This victory bolstered Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament aspirations, improving their season record to 17-13 overall and 9-10 in the Big Ten Conference.
Key Performances
Ohio State’s offense was spearheaded by point guard Bruce Thornton, who delivered an impressive 29 points and narrowly missed a double-double with nine assists. Freshman forward Devin Royal and guard John Mobley Jr. contributed significantly, adding 22 and 20 points, respectively. Micah Parrish was pivotal in the second overtime, scoring five of his 22 points during this critical period.
On the Nebraska side, guard Brice Williams showcased a stellar performance, amassing 43 points, with 31 of those coming after halftime. This marked his ninth game with over 20 points in the past ten outings. Forward Juwan Gary added 24 points, and guard Connor Essegian contributed 16 points to the Cornhuskers’ effort.
Game Progression
The Buckeyes established an early lead, with Thornton setting the tone by hitting his first three shots, including two assertive drives to the basket. This momentum led to a 19-8 advantage in the opening minutes. Despite Nebraska’s attempts to close the gap, Ohio State maintained a 45-39 lead at halftime, highlighted by a buzzer-beating 30-foot three-pointer from Mobley.
The second half saw Nebraska quickly erasing the deficit, taking their first lead at 48-47 within three minutes. The teams exchanged leads multiple times before Ohio State embarked on a 12-2 run, extending their lead to 63-53. However, Nebraska responded with a 7-0 run, narrowing the margin to 66-62. The Buckeyes managed to hold a slim lead, but the Cornhuskers’ resilience led to a tie at 88 with 42 seconds remaining, courtesy of an and-one layup by Andrew Morgan. A split pair of free throws by Mobley and a subsequent free throw by Williams sent the game into overtime.
Overtime Highlights
In the first overtime, Williams propelled Nebraska to a 94-89 lead. Ohio State clawed back, with Thornton and Parrish hitting crucial three-pointers. Royal had an opportunity to seal the game but missed one of his free throws, resulting in a 99-99 tie and forcing a second overtime.
The second overtime was marked by intense back-and-forth action. Williams opened with a three-pointer, but Ohio State responded with a floater from Thornton and free throws from Parrish, taking a 104-103 lead. Thornton’s third three-pointer extended the lead to 107-103. Despite Nebraska’s efforts, including an and-one layup by Ahron Ulis, Parrish’s timely three-pointer and steady free-throw shooting from Mobley in the final seconds secured the Buckeyes’ victory.
Implications and Upcoming Games
This win marked Ohio State’s second consecutive victory, enhancing their prospects for an NCAA Tournament berth. Conversely, Nebraska suffered its fourth straight loss, bringing their record to 17-13 overall and 7-12 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes will conclude their regular season with a crucial matchup against Indiana on Saturday, while the Cornhuskers are set to host Iowa on Sunday.
The game was a testament to both teams’ determination and skill, providing fans with an unforgettable display of college basketball at its finest.
