After a long, seemingly endless losing streak, the much-maligned Ohio State basketball team finally got back in the win column on Sunday by defeating Illinois at Value City Arena, 72-60.
The Buckeyes had been the losers of nine straight and fourteen of their last fifteen heading into the contest against the Fighting Illini, but were able to come out of the gate early with energy and purpose to make it a significant uphill climb for Illinios.
Buy Buckeyes TicketsIn fact, OSU got out to a double-digit lead midway through the first half of play and carried a 41-29 lead into halftime. The Illini would cut the lead to one point with just under seven minutes left after a three-point buckeye by Jayden Epps, but Ohio State was able to steady the ship and only allowed seven more points on defense to put the game away.
W. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/xT34TTqxpB
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 26, 2023
Freshman point guard Bruce Thorton continued his end-of-the-season surge by leading the Buckeyes in scoring with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting while committing just one turnover and pulling down five boards. Fellow freshman Brice Sensabaugh also chipped in double figures with 14 points, and Justice Sueing matched his output with 14 points as well.
With no Zed Key who has been shelved for the rest of the season to undergo shoulder surgery, Ohio State not only went with a mostly small and quicker lineup, but it shortened its bench, only using eight players total.
It seemed to pay off on the defensive end as the Buckeyes looked much more active and energized to loose balls and rebounds against an Illinois team that likes to get in opponents’ face.
With the win, Ohio State improves its record to 12-17 overall, and 4-14 in the conference and locks itself in as the No. 13 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. But first things first, the Buckeyes have to close out the regular season against Maryland at home on Wednesday, then at Michigan State next Saturday.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on Twitter.
