Ohio State entered the matchup looking to secure back-to-back wins over ranked opponents and strengthen its NCAA Tournament résumé, but the Buckeyes were forced to play shorthanded from the start.

With Brandon Noel already sidelined and John Mobley still unavailable, Ohio State was dealt another setback when Devin Royal was ruled out due to illness, while Amare Bynum attempted to play through illness but struggled to find rhythm after 2 early fouls. The absences left the Buckeyes thin on both ends of the floor.

Led by Bruce Thornton, Ohio State battled throughout, leading for much of the first 30 minutes before Michigan State used a late 10-2 run to create separation. The Buckeyes mounted a late rally but ultimately fell 66-60 in East Lansing.

The loss drops Ohio State to 17-10 overall and 9-7 in Big Ten play, while Michigan State improves to 22-5 and 12-4 in conference action.

Ohio State struggled from long range without Mobley, hitting just 4 of 22 three-point attempts while shooting 44 percent overall. Michigan State shot 40 percent from the field and 4 of 15 from three. The Spartans also controlled the free-throw line, making 18 of 25 attempts compared to Ohio State’s 10 of 17.

Rebounding proved decisive, as Michigan State dominated the glass 43-26 and converted 15 offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points. Ohio State did take care of the basketball, committing just six turnovers, but forced only 10 total turnovers — and just three after halftime but the  Buckeyes did outscore Michigan State in the paint, 34-26.

Thornton led Ohio State with a game-high 32 points, passing Herb Williams for second place on Ohio State’s all-time scoring list. Christoph Tilly added 10 points. Michigan State was paced by Carson Cooper’s 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jordan Scott scored 12 and Jeremy Fears added 11. 

1^st Half

Ohio State struggled offensively out of the gate, missing its first four shots — all from beyond the arc — but made up for it with strong defensive pressure early. The Buckeyes forced four Michigan State turnovers in the opening four minutes and held the Spartans to just four points during that stretch. Bruce Thornton finally got Ohio State on the board after nearly 4 minutes, with a runner in the lane, but the Buckeyes trailed 4-2 at the under-16 media timeout.

Bruce Thornton evened the score with another runner in the lane, but Michigan State responded right away with a jump hook in the paint. Ohio State pulled even again when Thornton set up Ivan Njegovan for a layup, only to see the Spartans answer with a three-pointer. Thornton then scored off the dribble to trim the deficit, and at the under-12 media timeout, Michigan State held a narrow 9-8 advantage.

Ohio State claimed its first lead of the game when Christoph Tilly knocked down a 10-foot jumper in the paint. The Buckeyes extended the advantage moments later as Bruce Thornton split a pair of free throws, moving past Herb Williams into second place on Ohio State’s all-time scoring list. Thornton then buried a three to cap an 8-0 run before a Michigan State free throw halted the surge. A Spartan tip-in trimmed the margin to two, but Ivan Njegovan responded with a layup on the other end. At the under-8 media timeout, Ohio State held a 16-12 lead.

Tilly came up with a steal under the Ohio State bucket and converted at the rim to stretch the Buckeyes’ lead, but Michigan State answered with a jumper late in the shot clock. Bruce Thornton responded with a baseline drive and finish off the glass, only to see the Spartans knock down a three-pointer to trim the deficit to three. Gabe Cupps then provided a spark, scoring on a dribble drive and then Ohio State forced a turnover on the defensive end. After securing an offensive rebound, Colin White drew a foul on a put-back attempt, sending the game to the under-4 media timeout with Ohio State in front, 22-17.

Out of the timeout, Colin White went to the line but missed both free throws. Ohio State forced a shot clock violation on the ensuing possession, but a late foul call during a loose-ball scramble sent Michigan State to the stripe, where the Spartans converted two free throws to trim the lead to three. Thornton answered with a runner in the lane, though Michigan State responded with a basket inside. Thornton once again countered with another mid-range score to keep the Buckeyes in front. After the Spartans added two more free throws, Ohio State called timeout with eight seconds remaining in the half but couldn’t get a shot to fall before the buzzer. The Buckeyes carried a 26-23 lead into the locker room.

Ohio State’s defense set the tone in the opening 20 minutes, keeping Michigan State off balance with changing looks and physical interior play. The Buckeyes shot 44 percent from the field despite hitting just 1 of 9 from three-point range, while holding the Spartans to 30 percent shooting and 2 of 8 from beyond the arc. Free throws and rebounding favored the home team, as Michigan State went 5 of 8 at the line compared to Ohio State’s 1 of 4, and out-rebounded the Buckeyes 22-15, including eight offensive boards. However, the Spartans managed just five second-chance points off those extra opportunities.

Ohio State forced seven turnovers and turned them into seven points, leading for more than 11 minutes of the half. Bruce Thornton carried the offensive load with 16 first-half points, accounting for more than half of the Buckeyes’ 26 at the break. Michigan State was led by Carson Cooper with six points.

2^nd Half

Bruce Thornton opened the second half with a 12-footer and had a chance to extend the lead, but Christoph Tilly missed two free throws and Michigan State capitalized with a basket on the other end. Ohio State responded when Colin White knocked down his first three-pointer of the season, though the Spartans answered with a triple of their own.

Taison Chatman added a baseline jumper to push the lead back out, but two Michigan State free throws trimmed the margin to three. A Spartan basket just before the under-16 media timeout cut it to one, with Ohio State narrowly holding a 33-32 advantage.

A shooting foul from beyond the arc just before the timeout sent Michigan State to the line, where they converted two of three free throws to regain the lead — their first advantage since holding a 9-8 edge earlier in the game. The Spartans followed with a dunk to push the lead higher before Ivan Njegovan answered with two free throws to snap an 8-0 Michigan State run and bring Ohio State back within one.

Michigan State briefly stretched the lead again with two free throws after appearing to travel, but Bruce Thornton answered with a three-pointer to tie the game. After the Spartans regained the lead with two more free throws, Ohio State surged back in front when Taison Chatman buried a three from the left wing. Christoph Tilly added a baseline jumper, and at the under-12 media timeout, the Buckeyes led 43-40.

Michigan State opened the action out of the timeout by hitting a three-pointer to tie the game. Christoph Tilly responded with a basket off the glass to break the tie, but the Spartans scored on the other end to even the score once again.

Michigan State then capitalized at the free-throw line following a terrible foul call where Bynum was kicked in the nether region by the ever-dirty Jeremy Fears, converting two shots and adding another field goal to build a 49-45 lead, forcing Ohio State to call a timeout at the 7:48 mark.

Johnson got to the line and hit two, slicing the deficit in half, but on the other end an offensive rebound and score answered. Thornton answered for Ohio State with a 15 footer, but the Spartans scored again on the other end and added 2 more free throws to build their largest lead. Two Thornton free throws slowed the momentum, but a dunk on the other end kept Ohio State at bay. Another Spartan hoop forced Ohio State to call a timeout with 3:36 to play and Michigan State leading 59-51.

Michigan State extended its lead to 10 points before Bruce Thornton helped Ohio State get back on the board with a pair of free throws. The Spartans scored again, but Thornton returned to the line and split another pair. With just 1:27 remaining, time was running out on the Buckeyes’ comeback bid.

Thornton added a runner with just under a minute to play, and after Michigan State used the full shot clock, the Spartans turned the ball over. Christoph Tilly converted in transition while drawing contact but missed the ensuing free throw. Ohio State was forced to foul immediately. Michigan State missed both free throws on the other end, and Ohio State quickly pushed the ball up the floor where Thornton scored at the rim. The Buckeyes called timeout with 14 seconds remaining, trailing 63-60.

A foul in the backcourt with just under 10 seconds to play put the Spartans back on the line, where they split two and when a Thornton three clanged off target, Michigan State grabbed the rebound and a foul put them back on the line with 3 seconds left. Both free throws dropped ending the game as the Spartans escaped an undermanned Buckeye team.

Game Wrap

Playing in one of the toughest venues in college basketball was always going to be a challenge, and the task became even harder when Ohio State was forced to compete without Devin Royal, John Mobley, and a sick Amare Bynum. Despite being shorthanded, the Buckeyes battled throughout the game and had chances to pull off a dramatic upset, but it ultimately wasn’t meant to be.

While the environment and officiating made things difficult — as is often expected in East Lansing — the game was ultimately decided by Michigan State’s dominance on the boards and Ohio State’s struggles at the free-throw line. The Spartans’ rebounding advantage and ability to generate second-chance opportunities proved to be the difference.

The loss could have been the signature win Ohio State needed to solidify its NCAA Tournament résumé, but it does not eliminate them from contention. With four games remaining, the Buckeyes must focus on getting healthy and regrouping before another challenging road game at Iowa, where they will have another opportunity to earn a valuable Quad 1 victory.

Bruce Thornton continues to strengthen his case for postseason recognition, and there is strong belief that Ohio State has the talent to earn an NCAA Tournament bid. However, the final four games will ultimately determine their fate. A road game at Iowa followed by a home matchup with Purdue provides back-to-back Quad 1 opportunities that could help secure their postseason position if the team continues building on the way it played for much of this game.

There is no question the Buckeyes continue to play hard for one another and for their coaching staff, but injuries and illness forced Ohio State into unfamiliar lineup combinations during critical stretches of the game, and it ultimately proved costly. Within the program, there remains confidence that the team will reach the NCAA Tournament including myself, but the final stretch of the season will determine whether that belief holds true.

Box Score

*Official statistics provided courtesy of Michigan State University and Statbroadcast

Ohio State wraps up its two-game road trip Wednesday night with a stop in Iowa City, where the Buckeyes will take on Iowa. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m., with the game televised on BTN.

-Jason Harris