Ohio State welcomed UCLA to Columbus for the first time since 1968, when Lew Alcindor had 18 points and 21 rebounds to lead the Bruins past the Buckeyes. This time, the Buckeyes made sure history didn’t repeat, riding a career-high scoring performance from John Mobley to claim their first conference home win of the season, defeating UCLA 86–74 to improve to 12–5 overall and 4–3 in league play. UCLA fell to 12–6, 4–3 with the loss.

Ohio State broke open a tight contest late in the first half when Mobley drained a three just before the buzzer and carried that momentum into the second half, scoring the first 12 points in a 15–0 run that created separation and gave the Buckeyes an 18-point lead they would never relinquish. Ohio State shot 53 percent from the field, connecting on 9-of-24 from three, while holding UCLA to 40 percent overall (9-of-23 from deep) and just 32 percent after halftime, including 2-of-11 from long range in the second half. The Buckeyes also shared the ball effectively, assisting on 15 of 28 made baskets, and dominated the glass 37–27, including 12 offensive rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points.

The “Big Three” led Ohio State’s balanced attack: Mobley had a career-high 28 points, Devin Royal added 22 points and nine rebounds, and Bruce Thornton contributed 21 points and eight rebounds. For UCLA, Tyler Bilodeau scored a game-high 30 points with eight rebounds, while Donvan Dent added 13 and Eric Dailey chipped in 12.

1^st Half

Ohio State raced out to a 7–2 lead three minutes in behind a short jumper from Bruce Thornton, an Amare Bynum dunk, and a John Mobley three. UCLA responded with a basket and a three on either side of a Bynum layup to trim the margin to two, but Thornton knocked down a short jumper in the lane to put the Buckeyes up 11–7 at the first media timeout.

After nearly two scoreless minutes, the Bruins broke through with a jumper, only for Thornton to answer with a runner on the right side of the paint. At the under-12 timeout, Ohio State held a 13–9 advantage.

A Devin Royal three from the right corner increased the lead into and after a defensive stop, Royal buried a step-back jumper from the free-throw line, prompting UCLA to call a 30-second timeout with Ohio State ahead 18–9. Coming out of the break, the Bruins snapped the Buckeyes’ 7–0 run with a three, but John Mobley quickly answered with one of his own. UCLA connected from deep again, followed by a Royal floater, and after another Bruin bucket, Royal finished an old-fashioned three-point play to restore a nine-point advantage. UCLA’s hot shooting continued as back-to-back triples trimmed the margin to 26–23 at the under-8 timeout.

UCLA’s run grew to 8–0, trimming the Buckeye lead to one before John Mobley knocked down two free throws to end a three-minute Ohio State scoring drought. A Bruce Thornton transition runner was followed by another Bruin three, leaving the Buckeyes clinging to a two-point edge with just under five minutes remaining in the half. Mobley responded with a three of his own, and at the under-4 timeout, Ohio State held a 33–28 lead.

A pair of UCLA baskets trimmed the Buckeye lead to one before John Mobley knocked down a long two. Bruce Thornton followed with a 15-footer, and UCLA split a pair of free throws with under a minute remaining in the half. Mobley then added two free throws to push the margin back out, but a Bruin three with seven seconds left cut into the lead. After an Ohio State timeout, Mobley pushed the ball up the floor and buried a three at the top of the arc just before the horn, sending the Buckeyes into the locker room with a 42–36 advantage.

Ohio State shot 55 percent from the field in the opening half, connecting on 5-of-15 from beyond the arc. UCLA was nearly as efficient, shooting 50 percent overall and a blistering 7-of-12 from three. The Buckeyes dominated the glass 18–9, including six offensive rebounds that led to a 9–0 edge in second-chance points. Ohio State also continued to share the ball effectively, assisting on eight of its 16 made field goals.

The Buckeyes were led by a game-high 18 points from Mobley, with Thornton and Devin Royal adding 10 apiece. Royal also pulled down six first-half rebounds. UCLA was paced by Tyler Bilodeau’s 15 points, as he connected on three of four attempts from deep.

 

2^nd Half

John Mobley opened the second half the same way he closed the first, drilling a three from the left point. Ohio State quickly pushed the lead into double figures as Devin Royal knocked down a three of his own, then extended it further when Christoph Tilly converted a short basket off a Mobley assist.  The surge forced UCLA to call timeout at the 17:22 mark with the Buckeyes out in front 50–36 and on an 11-0 run.

A pair of free throws from Devin Royal and Bruce Thornton extended the Buckeyes’ run to 15–0 before UCLA finally got on the board in the second half at the 16:20 mark. The Bruins added another basket before the under-16 media timeout, with Ohio State holding a 54–40 lead.

The Bruins run went to 7-0 before Royal buried a three after an offensive rebound led to a second chance opportunity. The Buckeyes answered again when Thornton split the defense and scored through contact and buried the ensuing free throw to complete the three-point play. Another Thornton score, scoring off a dribble drive increased the margin to 19 before UCLA hit two free throws and at the under 12, Ohio State led 62-45. 

 

UCLA’s run reached 7–0 before Devin Royal halted the momentum, knocking down a three on a second-chance opportunity following an offensive rebound. Ohio State answered again as Bruce Thornton split the defense, finished through contact, and converted the free throw to complete the three-point play. Thornton followed with another bucket off a dribble drive to push the lead to 19. UCLA responded with two free throws, and at the under-12 timeout, the Buckeyes led 62–45.

Out of the timeout, Christoph Tilly went to the line and split the pair, but UCLA answered on the other end by converting two free throws of its own. The Bruins followed with a dunk, which John Mobley countered with a three, giving Ohio State a 17-point cushion with under 10 minutes to play. After UCLA connected on a 15-footer, Tilly again split a trip to the stripe before Bruce Thornton added two free throws to push the lead back to 18. UCLA responded with another pair from the line, but Ohio State broke the backcourt pressure and Gabe Cupps found Amare Bynum for a dunk. Following a Bruin jumper, Ivan Njegovan answered with a 10-foot jump hook, and at the under-8 timeout, the Buckeyes led 73–55.

The Bruins added four free throws to close the gap to 14 but Mobley buried a 15-foot jumper to stop the momentum. After another UCLA bucket, Mobley drew a foul and hit both free throws as Ohio State led by 16 with 5 minutes to play. UCLA answered with a runner and added another bucket before the Bruins called a timeout at the 3:57 mark and Ohio State leading 77-65. 

Ohio State stretched the margin with two Bruce Thornton free throws, but UCLA answered with a three. After Amare Bynum split a pair at the line, the Bruins drew a foul and converted both free throws to cut the lead to 10 with 2:33 remaining. Devin Royal, fouled in the backcourt, split two at the other end, and following a defensive stop, the Buckeyes pushed in transition where Royal finished and drew the foul, completing the three-point play. On the ensuing possession, Royal picked up his fifth and disqualifying foul, and UCLA knocked down both free throws. Christoph Tilly responded with a runner in the paint after draining the shot clock, pushing the lead back to 14 with just over a minute to play. A final UCLA basket closed the scoring in a decisive Ohio State victory.

Game Wrap

It was a key bounce-back win for the Buckeyes, who received good news yesterday with the addition of veteran 6’8” wing Puff Johnson, who will suit up in short order, giving the team an important scoring boost off a bench that has been thin in that area. Today, though, Ohio State took care of business on their home floor, securing a much-needed victory that could help build momentum heading into late January.

Currently projected as an NCAA tournament team, the Buckeyes remain firmly on the bubble. A win like today’s was crucial to stay in contention and improve their standing, with the potential to climb higher if they can string together more victories. John Mobley bounced back from a tough outing at Washington, leading the way with an efficient 8-of-15 shooting performance, adding three assists with no turnovers. Christoph Tilly’s return also made a difference; while he didn’t score heavily, he contributed five assists and managed the floor effectively.

The Buckeyes played with aggressiveness for all 40 minutes, crashing the boards and battling for every 50/50 ball, which fueled a decisive run to open the second half and create the separation needed to put UCLA away. Another important test awaits on Tuesday in what could be considered a must-win game for a team still seeking consistent performances.

Ohio State seems to be on the verge of breaking out and were it not for several close losses, they would be in an even stronger position for a tournament berth. As it stands, everything is within reach, and if the Buckeyes can continue to play with the energy and execution shown today, their name should be called in March.

 

Box Score

 

*Official statistics provided courtesy of The Ohio State University and Sidearm Sports

 

The Buckeyes return to the court Tuesday night, hosting Minnesota at 6:30 PM on BTN.

-Jason Harris