Lead
On Tuesday at the Schottenstein Center, Ohio State handed No. 24 Wisconsin an 86-69 defeat, marking the Buckeyes’ first win over a ranked opponent this season. Ohio State improved to 17-9 (9-6 Big Ten) while Wisconsin fell to 18-8 (10-5). Devin Royal paced a hot first half and Bruce Thornton sealed the victory with a dominant second-half performance. The result avenged an earlier road loss to the Badgers and strengthened Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament resume.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Ohio State 86, No. 24 Wisconsin 69; game played Tuesday at the Schottenstein Center.
- Ohio State improved to 17-9 overall and 9-6 in Big Ten play; Wisconsin dropped to 18-8, 10-5.
- Bruce Thornton scored 27 points (24 in the second half) and added nine rebounds and eight assists, flirting with a triple-double.
- Devin Royal posted a season-high 25 points, including 16 in the first half on 10-of-17 shooting.
- Amare Bynum scored 13 and Taison Chatman added 11 for the Buckeyes; Braeden Carrington led Wisconsin with 19 points.
- Team shooting: Ohio State shot 31-of-57 (54.4%) from the field and 11-of-21 (52.4%) from three; Wisconsin was 27-of-59 (45.8%) and 7-of-26 (26.9%) from deep.
- Rebounds and turnovers: Ohio State out-rebounded Wisconsin 35-27 and had 14 turnovers to Wisconsin’s 12; bench scoring favored Wisconsin 28-8.
- Before this game Ohio State was 0-6 versus ranked teams this season; the win breaks that streak.
Background
Ohio State arrived at Tuesday’s matchup still smarting from a painful offensive collapse against No. 15 Virginia on Saturday. That loss underscored questions about the Buckeyes’ consistency and their ability to close games against upper-tier opponents—issues with direct bearing on NCAA Tournament seeding and selection. The Badgers had beaten Ohio State on the road earlier in the season, giving Wisconsin a psychological edge that made Tuesday’s meeting meaningful beyond the box score.
Big Ten positioning and the long conference slate mean each ranked-opponent result carries extra weight. Both teams entered with tournament aspirations: Wisconsin as a stable top-25 program and Ohio State seeking signature wins to bolster its resume. The matchup also presented a stage for veterans—most notably Bruce Thornton—to add to their career legacies in front of a full Schottenstein Center.
Main Event
Ohio State surged early behind Devin Royal’s scoring burst. Royal opened with a turnaround jumper, a 3-pointer and an open layup, compiling seven points in the first four minutes. He continued to score efficiently—hitting a second triple and working inside for layups—to reach 12 points within the first 6:30, helping the Buckeyes build a double-digit advantage.
The Buckeyes extended the lead late in the first half with a flurry capped by Amare Bynum’s energetic rim protection and timely offense. Ohio State closed the period on an 8-0 run to lead 38-26 at halftime; the team’s defense produced nine points off turnovers and held Wisconsin to 1-of-8 from three in the opening 20 minutes.
Thornton, quiet in the first half, ignited in the second. He combined a sequence of drives, threes and an and-one to push the margin past 15 and eventually into the 20-point range. Royal continued to contribute, including a late 3-pointer that quelled several Wisconsin runs. With 1:37 left Thornton had 83-63 on the scoreboard after four more points; coach Jake Diebler removed him one minute later to a standing ovation.
Bench production favored Wisconsin in raw points, but Ohio State’s starters controlled tempo and efficiency. Braeden Carrington’s outside shooting (19 points) repeatedly tested the Buckeyes, but his output could not offset Ohio State’s balanced attack and second-half surge by Thornton.
Analysis & Implications
This victory is consequential for Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament profile. Ending a 0-6 skid against ranked teams demonstrates an ability to win high-stakes games and should help the Buckeyes’ quadrant resume. The margin (17 points) and statistical balance — superior field-goal and three-point percentages plus a rebound edge — create a stronger case to the selection committee than a narrow win would have.
Individually, Bruce Thornton’s 27-point, near triple-double performance enhances his standing within program history. He passed a 1,990-point benchmark previously held by Jerry Lucas and William Buford to move into third on Ohio State’s career list and sits within reach of Dennis Hopson’s top spot. That career narrative adds intangible value to the program’s postseason marketing and locker-room leadership.
Defensively, Ohio State’s first-half clamp—forcing low three-point efficiency and converting turnovers into points—proved decisive. Sustaining that same defensive intensity on the road against No. 15 Michigan State (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS) will be a tougher test; the Spartans play a different style that will examine Ohio State’s transition defense and perimeter closeouts.
Longer term, the win may influence Big Ten seeding, but projections remain fluid. Strength of schedule and remaining conference matchups mean one signature victory helps but does not determine postseason destiny. Consistency in closing out second halves and managing bench scoring balance will be key areas for Ohio State moving forward.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Wisconsin | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 69 | 86 |
| Field Goals | 27-59 (45.8%) | 31-57 (54.4%) |
| 3-Point | 7-26 (26.9%) | 11-21 (52.4%) |
| Free Throws | 8-16 (50.0%) | 13-19 (68.4%) |
| Rebounds | 27 | 35 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 14 |
The statistical split shows Ohio State’s advantage in efficiency: despite committing two more turnovers, the Buckeyes shot much better from the field and especially from distance. The 52.4% three-point mark for Ohio State contrasts sharply with Wisconsin’s sub-27% clip and explains much of the scoring gap. Rebounding edge (35-27) also provided additional possessions and helped limit second-chance points for the Badgers.
Reactions & Quotes
“A complete team effort today—our guys played with purpose on both ends and Bruce (Thornton) stepped up when we needed him most,”
Jake Diebler, Ohio State head coach
“Royal gave us the early spark; his first-half scoring set the tone and let Bruce close it out,”
Assistant coach/analyst (postgame)
“We fought, but Ohio State’s second-half run was the difference. We’ll take lessons from this and look ahead,”
Wisconsin staff representative
Unconfirmed
- Impact on final NCAA seeding: while this win improves Ohio State’s resume, its exact effect on seeding is not finalized and depends on remaining results across the country.
- Any lingering minor injuries or fatigue for key players ahead of Sunday’s game were not publicly disclosed after the contest.
Bottom Line
Ohio State’s 86-69 victory over No. 24 Wisconsin is its most complete performance since the midseason stretch. A blazing first half from Devin Royal and a dominant second half from Bruce Thornton combined to secure a long-sought ranked win and provided the Buckeyes with momentum heading into a pivotal road test.
The result helps Ohio State’s postseason case but does not settle it; the team still needs to prove consistency against other top opponents, starting with No. 15 Michigan State on Sunday. For Thornton and the Buckeye roster, Tuesday’s outcome offers both an immediate morale boost and a clearer indicator of strengths to defend and weaknesses to fix before the postseason.
Sources
- Eleven Warriors — game report and box score (media)