Ohio State
17-11,9-8Big Ten
Iowa
20-8,10-7Big Ten
Iowa’s Big Run Sinks Buckeyes
2/26/2026 12:21:00 AM | Men's Basketball
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Ohio State opened the night with a strong start but could not overcome a prolonged Iowa run, falling 74-57 Wednesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Buckeyes are now 17-11 overall and 9-8 in conference play, while the Hawkeyes improve to 20-8 and 10-7 in the Big Ten.
Devin Royal led Ohio State with 16 points while John Mobley Jr. added 15 points and knocked down three three-pointers. Bruce Thornton finished with 10 points, and Amare Bynum contributed eight points and six rebounds.
Ohio State came out sharp early, jumping to a 14-2 lead behind hot perimeter shooting. Mobley Jr. hit a pair of early threes, and Bynum added two more as the Buckeyes opened 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. Iowa responded with a decisive momentum swing midway through the first half, using defensive pressure and transition opportunities to fuel a 26-3 run that turned the game around. The Hawkeyes took a 37-23 lead into halftime after closing the period with efficient scoring in the paint.
The Buckeyes showed fight early in the second half. Royal scored the first two baskets after the break, and a three-pointer from Ivan Njegovan cut the deficit to 10 at 40-30. Later, Mobley Jr. and Njegovan helped spark another short push, but Iowa answered each time with timely baskets to maintain control.
Ohio State finished 7-of-14 from three-point range, shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc. Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes with 22 points, while Alvaro Folgueiras added 20 points and five assists.
Up Next
The Buckeyes return home this weekend to host No. 8 Purdue on Sunday afternoon. Fans are encouraged to Wear White as the team will be wearing its white Script Buckeye jerseys. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
#GoBucks
