Ohio State Buckeyes Triumph Over Minnesota Golden Gophers
In a thrilling contest on Tuesday night, the Ohio State Buckeyes triumphed over the Minnesota Golden Gophers 82-74 after an intense overtime period. John Mobley Jr. delivered a standout performance, contributing 26 points and sinking five shots from beyond the three-point line. Bruce Thornton played a pivotal role as well, scoring 23 points while also grabbing seven rebounds and recording four steals.
Game Highlights
Ohio State, now holding a 13-5 overall record and 5-3 in the Big Ten, extended their all-time home advantage over Minnesota to 15-2 at the Schottenstein Center. Mobley once again showcased his scoring prowess, following up a career-high 28 points against UCLA with a solid shooting night where he made 9 of 19 attempts from the field.
For Minnesota, Jaylen Crocker-Johnson emerged as a significant player with a career-best 26 points, marking his third consecutive game scoring over 20 points. Despite his efforts, the Golden Gophers, with a record of 10-9 and 3-5 in the conference, fell to their fourth consecutive defeat. Cade Tyson, one of the league’s top scorers averaging 20.8 points per game, contributed 15 points to his team’s efforts.
Crucial Moments
With 40.2 seconds left in regulation, Crocker-Johnson managed to tie the game at 67 with a basket, but he missed the subsequent free throw. Ohio State’s Mobley missed an attempt for a long-range shot, and Minnesota’s Langston Reynolds had an opportunity to secure a win but failed to convert a layup. Tyson’s buzzer-beater attempt from three-point range hit nothing but air, sending the game into overtime.
Overtime and Future Matches
In the extra period, Colin White made a crucial steal and fast-break layup, pushing Ohio State ahead 76-71, while Thornton added six points to cement their victory. Last season, the Buckeyes narrowly defeated the Gophers in a double overtime thriller, 89-88.
Looking ahead, Minnesota will prepare to host No. 7 Nebraska on Saturday, while Ohio State will hit the road to face off against No. 3 Michigan on Friday.
