Ohio State
7-4,1-1Big Ten
Valparaiso
5-5,0-1MVC
Royal’s Big Night Leads Buckeyes Past Valpo 95-73
12/18/2024 12:04:00 AM | Men's Basketball
PTS: 31
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 18, 2024
REB: 15
FG: 11-16
Devin Royal posts @OhioStateHoops' first 30-point, 15-rebound game since @Jared_Sully0 in 2010 ??#B1GStats x #B1GMBBall pic.twitter.com/GSV0x2sSE5
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sophomore guard Devin Royal had a career night, scoring 31 points and grabbing 15 rebounds to lead Ohio State to a 95-73 victory on Tuesday night against Valparaiso.
Both the 31 points and 15 rebounds were career-highs for Royal who became the first Buckeye with a 30-point, 15-rebound double-double since Jared Sullinger had 30 points and 19 rebounds in a win over South Carolina on Dec. 18, 2010.
Junior Evan Mahaffey was one off his career high, finishing with 15 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor. He also had five rebounds and a pair of steals.
Micah Parrish had a great all-around night. He had 14 points and was 8-of-8 from the free throw line. He also added seven rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block. Bruce Thornton joined Parrish with 14 points and a game-high six assists.
John Mobley Jr. made his first collegiate start and knocked down three three-pointers to finish with nine points. He played a season-high 34 minutes and had five assists with zero turnovers.
The Buckeyes shot 63.3 percent in the second half to pull away and build as much as a 31-point lead.
Valpo got out early and led 14-10. A Royal lay-in sparked a 16-2 run Ohio State run to build a 26-16 lead the Buckeyes never looked back. Parrish had a big steal on an inbounds pass and converted a three-point to give the Buckeyes momentum and a 41-30 lead at the break.
Behind hot shooting and a pair of 8-0 runs, the Buckeyes kept their foot on the gas in the second half and ran away for a solid victory.
Up Next
The Buckeyes head to New York City this weekend to take on No. 4 Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic. Tip-off from Madison Square Garden is set for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on CBS.
