Ohio State
15-11,7-8Big Ten
#20 Michigan
20-5,12-2Big Ten
Buckeyes Drop Back-and-Forth Battle with No. 20 Michigan 86-83
2/16/2025 5:04:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a game that featured 16 lead changes, No. 20 Michigan came up with the final stop and would pull out an 86-83 victory on Sunday in front of more than 18,000 fans at Value City Arena.
Sophomore Devin Royal led the Buckeyes (15-11, 7-8) with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting. He also matched his career high with three three-point field goals.
Junior Bruce Thornton had 17 points and dished out a game-high six assists and had zero turnovers while playing the full 40 minutes. Freshman John Mobley Jr. knocked down three more three-pointers and finished with 16 points.
Sean Stewart made both of his shot attempts and tied his career-high with 10 rebounds. Micah Parrish hit a big three pointer in the final minute and would finish with nine points.
The difference in the game came on the glass as Michigan had a 46 to 31 advantage, including 19 offensive rebounds. The Wolverines were able to turn that into 21 second chance points, nine better than the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes came out hot early, making seven of their first 10 shots, including five of their first eight three-pointers. But they then made just one of their next 12 shots to allow Michigan to build a 35-29 lead. The Wolverines would hold the advantage and take a 44-39 lead at the break.
Both teams started hot in the second half and behind a couple of three-pointers from Mobley Jr., the Buckeyes would pull even at 61-61 at the first media timeout. Ohio State took the lead two more in the next few minutes, the last of which on a Stewart free thrown 9:15 to play.
Michigan pushed back and led by five but again, the Buckeyes battled back and tied the game on a Thornton jumper in the lane with 2:06 to go. Michigan scored on back-to-back trips to shove the lead to four but then Parrish’s three with 32 seconds remaining brought the Buckeyes within one. After Michigan split a pair from the line, Thornton’s jumper in the paint was just short and the Wolverines would hold on.
Up Next
The Buckeyes will complete its three-game home stand on Thursday by hosting Northwestern in the team’s only regular season meeting this season. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. on FS1.
