While everyone’s attention might be on the cataclysmic matchup between Ohio State and Michigan on the gridiron Saturday, the OSU basketball team was in action against a ranked Alabama team on Friday night in the Emerald Coast Classic down in Niceville, Florida, near the Destin area.
It was a great performance by the Buckeyes, one in which they outplayed the No. 17 ranked team in the country and upset the Tide 92-81. Perhaps most impressive was the way Ohio State held Alabama down on the offensive end, especially considering the Crimson Tide were averaging 101.8 points per contest so far this season.
The game started out as a nip and tuck affair in the first half with the lead changing hands several times until Ohio State got a little breathing room and headed into the halftime break up 38-33.
If you were watching the game, you probably expected Alabama to make a significant run in the second half, but that never really happened. The Tide did make some mini runs, but OSU seemed to always have the answer, leading the entire second half and salting the game away on defense and at the free throw line.
Bruce Thorton led the Buckeyes with a career high 29 points and played composed from the point against an Alabama team that likes to turn other teams over with an aggressive, pressing defense. He made big plays and got the OSU offense up the court and into the right sets all game long. He had just two turnovers all game.
Beat Ba❌a.#Tea❌125 | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/ur3ITZWjSk
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 25, 2023
Roddy Gayle also scored a bushel of points and set a career high, often getting action towards the rim in big moments with 23 points on the board. Zed Key also got into double figures with 11 points. Eight total Buckeyes scored in the game.
With the win, Ohio State runs its record to 4-1 and gives Alabama its first loss of the season. The Buckeyes will next be in action at home vs. Central Michigan next Wednesday.
