COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State spent 20 minutes digging a hole and the next 20 nearly pulling off one of its best escapes of the season. In the end, it just wasn’t enough.
The TCU Horned Frogs scored with four seconds left to slip past the Buckeyes, 66-64, Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State finishes the season 21-13, making its first tournament appearance since 2022.
The Buckeyes had answers all day after halftime, with all five starters finishing in double figures. Sophomore guard John Mobley Jr. led the way with 15 points and six assists, while Devin Royal added 14. Amare Bynum contributed 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
It also marked the final collegiate game for seniors Christoph Tilly and Bruce Thornton, who each scored 10 points. Thornton closes his career as Ohio State’s all-time leading scorer with 2,164 points and as the program’s first four-time captain.
TCU controlled the opening half and created separation late in the first half, using an 11-0 run over the final 3:15 to take a 39-24 lead into the locker room. Out of the break, Ohio State flipped the game’s energy almost immediately. A 16-4 run to start the second half cut the deficit to three, and the Buckeyes kept coming. Over the next six minutes, a 15-1 surge turned a double-digit deficit into a 55-50 Ohio State lead with just over six minutes to play. Gabe Cupps delivered a timely three during the run, while Royal powered the push with six points.
From there, it turned into a back-and-forth finish. TCU regained the lead inside the two-minute mark, but Royal calmly knocked down two free throws to tie it at 1:16. After the Horned Frogs hit from deep, Thornton answered with a three of his own to even the score again with 34 seconds remaining.
TCU went to the paint for the final say, scoring with four seconds left to take the lead for good.
Thornton’s last-second attempt from beyond halfcourt was off the mark, sealing a season that nearly ended with a remarkable comeback.
