BYU used a 16-4 run late in the second half to create separation in what was a back and forth game to pull away in front of a pro-BYU crowd and down Ohio State 94-83 in Salt Lake City in the season opener for both teams. The loss broke Ohio State’s 22 game season opener winning streak.

In the earliest season opener in program history, Ohio State came out strong, building a lead of as many as 11 midway through the first half before taking a three-point advantage into the break. However, a 19-6 BYU run spanning halftime gave the Cougars their first lead, which eventually grew to seven. The Buckeyes battled back to regain the advantage before the under-12 media timeout, but BYU took control from there. The Cougars answered every Ohio State push with timely baskets and big shots, gradually pulling away in what was essentially a home-court environment. The Buckeyes will now head back to Columbus looking to regroup after letting an early opportunity slip away.

Ohio State struggled in the second half finishing 49% from the field, including 9 of 28 from three, while BYU hit on 54% after a slow start and 11 of 24 from beyond the arc. The Buckeyes knocked in 18 of 19 free throws while BYU made 21 of 27, while the Buckeyes held a 31-30 rebounding edge. The Buckeyes forced just 8 BYU turnovers, turning it over 12 times themselves, while assisting on 18 of 28 made field goals. The Buckeyes out scored the Cougars from the bench 22-8, but the foul disparity was evident with both Mobley and Pippen fouling out.

Amare Bynum led Ohio State with 20 points, while John Mobley added 14 and 7 assists. Andrija Jelavic made his Buckeye debut with a solid 13-point, 9 rebound effort and Justin Pippen added 12. BYU got a game high 33 from Robert Wright III, while Collin Chandler and Tyler Betsey added 15 apiece. Bruce Branch III and Jaxson Kohler chipped in 12 and 11 respectively in the win.

1^st Half

Ohio State struck first as Amare Bynum connected for three from the corner off a John Mobley dribble drive and feed and added a short jumper, before Mobley buried a long three of his own to answer BYU’s early triple as the Buckeyes carried an 8-5 lead into the first media timeout.

Ohio State extended its lead with an Ojianwuna old-fashioned three-point play and a Lee Aaliya short two before BYU stopped the Buckeye 8-0 run with a 5-0 run of their own. Ivan Njegovan stopped the run with a hook shot in the paint as the Buckeyes maintained a 15-10 advantage at the under-12 media timeout.

Ohio State extended its advantage with a Bynum dunk, a Mobley three-pointer and an easy finish by Ojianwuna off a Mobley assist. Givens added a driving layup to counter a pair of BYU buckets inside, as the Buckeyes maintained a 24-15 lead at the under-eight-minute timeout.

BYU used an 11-4 run to erase much of Ohio State’s advantage, sparked by a three and a transition basket. Mobley briefly stopped the Buckeye scoring drought with a pair of free throws after a steal, while Pippen added a timely finish inside to slow the Cougars’ momentum. BYU answered again, however, leaving Ohio State with a slim 28-24 lead at the under-four-minute timeout.

BYU pulled within two on a second-chance basket, but Pippen and Bynum answered with timely three-pointers to keep the Buckeyes in front. The Cougars countered with a three of their own, prompting Diebler to call timeout with 40 seconds remaining and Ohio State holding a 34-31 lead.

Out of the timeout, the Buckeyes used clock and with the shot clock running out, Pippen drilled a step back three from the right wing, but BYU answered again with a corner three just before the horn and at the half, Ohio State led 37-34.

For the half, Ohio State shot an efficient 54% from the field, including 6-of-12 from three-point range, while BYU heated up late but finished the half shooting just 39% overall and 4-of-14 from deep. The teams were even on the boards at 16, but the Buckeyes moved the ball effectively, recording 11 assists on 14 made field goals. Ohio State also held a 13-4 advantage in bench scoring. The free-throw line helped keep BYU within striking distance, as the Cougars converted 8-of-12 attempts compared to Ohio State’s 3-of-3, while the Buckeyes were whistled for 11 fouls to BYU’s just 6.

John Mobley and Amare Bynum led a balanced Ohio State attack with 8 points each, while BYU was led by Robert Wright III’s 14.

2^nd Half

BYU opened the second half with a 7-0 run to take its first lead of the game, but Jelavic and Mobley helped Ohio State respond. The Cougars continued to find success inside, converting back-to-back three-point plays to extend their advantage, part of a 19-6 run spanning both halves. Bynum answered with a three and a coast-to-coast transition dunk to spark the Buckeyes, while Givens added a steal and drew a foul at the rim. The back-and-forth stretch sent the game to the under-16 timeout with BYU clinging to a 50-48 lead.

Ohio State continued to trade baskets with BYU, repeatedly answering each Cougar score to keep the game even. Givens, Pippen and Bynum all came through offensively before a Jelavic block sparked a transition opportunity that Mobley finished at the rim. The bucket gave the Buckeyes a 57-55 lead and forced a BYU timeout with 11:53 remaining.

BYU broke away with a decisive 7-0 run to turn a tied game into a 66-59 advantage, forcing a Diebler timeout with 9:27 remaining. Mobley briefly slowed the momentum with two free throws, but the Cougars continued to capitalize on Buckeye mistakes, including a shot-clock turnover that led to another three-pointer. BYU stretched its lead to double digits, part of a 16-4 run to take a 71-61 advantage into the under 8-minute timeout.

Ohio State began to chip away at BYU’s double-digit lead with timely baskets from Jelavic and free throws from Pippen, pulling within six with five minutes remaining. However, Mobley fouled out on the ensuing possession, and BYU converted both free throws to regain some breathing room. Thompson answered at the line, but the Cougars continued to find timely scores, maintaining a 77-69 advantage heading into the final media timeout.

Jimmie Williams opened the closing stretch with a pair of free throws to pull Ohio State within six, but BYU answered with a three to slow the Buckeye momentum. Jelavic connected from beyond the arc on the other end to keep Ohio State within striking distance, prompting a timeout with three minutes remaining and the Cougars leading 80-74, but Ohio State would not get any closer as BYU closed out the game answering every Buckeye basket down the stretch.

Game Wrap

Overall, there were plenty of positives for the Buckeyes despite the disappointing result. Ohio State showed its offensive potential, depth and ability to get contributions from multiple players, but defensive lapses and excessive fouling ultimately proved costly. After building a double-digit first-half lead, the Buckeyes gradually lost their aggressiveness on the defensive end, allowing BYU to find open looks and gain confidence offensively. To the Cougars’ credit, they took advantage, got hot after halftime and made Ohio State pay for miscommunication and defensive breakdowns. Foul trouble further complicated matters, forcing Coach Diebler to adjust rotations and move away from some of the combinations he would ideally like to use.

They certainly scored enough to win on the road, but the second half defense was lacking and ultimately proved costly. There is still plenty for this team to build on, particularly the depth and production coming from the bench. Those contributions showed the potential of this roster and how many different ways Ohio State can generate offense. Certainly, the coaching staff will expect more consistency and production from some individuals, including Anthony Thompson and others, but those are areas that can develop with experience and time together. Early in the season, establishing chemistry, defining roles and building consistency are just as important as the results themselves. The Buckeyes have the talent and depth to be a much better team as the season progresses, but performances like this also provide a clear picture of where improvement is needed.

The challenging non conference schedule should only help accelerate that growth. Facing quality opponents like BYU exposes weaknesses that might otherwise go unnoticed, giving the coaching staff an opportunity to address defensive communication, discipline, rebounding and execution before the demands of Big Ten play arrive. BYU is a legitimate Top 25-caliber opponent, and Ohio State has the potential to reach that level as well. There is no reason to overreact to an early-season loss, but there are certainly lessons to take away from it. While the Buckeyes would undoubtedly prefer a different result, a difficult road test against a quality opponent can ultimately be a valuable experience for a team still developing its identity. If Ohio State learns from the mistakes, improves its cohesion and builds on the positives, this loss could become part of the process that makes the Buckeyes a much stronger team down the road.

Box Score