COLUMBUS, Ohio —Ohio State set the tone early and never gave it up Saturday afternoon, earning an 86–74 win over UCLA at the Schottenstein Center behind a career outing from sophomore guard John Mobley Jr.
The Buckeyes led for all 40 minutes, improving to 12–5 overall and 4–3 in Big Ten play. After trading early baskets, Ohio State gradually created separation in the first half and carried a 42–36 lead into the break, capped by a Mobley Jr. three-pointer at the buzzer.
Any momentum UCLA hoped to gain out of halftime disappeared quickly. Ohio State opened the second half on a 12–0 run, pushing the lead to 50–36 and forcing a Bruins timeout. The Buckeyes continued to string together stops and efficient offensive possessions, stretching the margin to as many as 19 points at 62–43 midway through the half. UCLA trimmed the deficit late, but Ohio State maintained control and closed out the game from the free-throw line.
Mobley Jr., a Reynoldsburg native, finished with 28 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including a career-high six three-pointers. He also went 6-for-6 at the line, added three assists, and did not commit a turnover in 38 minutes. Devin Royal followed with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Bruce Thornton added 21 points, eight rebounds, and seven made free throws, marking the first time this season Ohio State had three players score at least 20 points in the same game.
Ohio State shot 52.8 percent from the field and 84.0 percent at the free-throw line, going 21-of-25. The Buckeyes held a 37–27 advantage on the glass and scored 28 points in the paint. Christoph Tilly contributed six points and five assists, helping facilitate the offense, while Ohio State recorded 15 assists on 28 made field goals.
UCLA was led by Tyler Bilodeau’s 30-point performance, as he scored nearly half of the Bruins’ total. UCLA shot 40.3 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from three-point range but struggled to keep pace after Ohio State’s second-half surge. UCLA now sits at 12–6 overall and 4–3 in Big Ten play.
Ohio State will remain at home Tuesday night to face Minnesota, with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on BTN.
Photo via Ohio State Dept. of Athletics.
