COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton delivered a standout performance on Thursday night, leading the Buckeyes to an impressive 83-64 victory over Penn State at Value City Arena. Thornton’s all-around effort propelled Ohio State to a crucial win in the Big Ten Conference, improving their record to 12-7 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
The sophomore guard played a key role in both offense and defense, scoring a career-high 25 points while also contributing five assists and three steals. His ability to navigate through Penn State’s defense and hit timely shots was instrumental in Ohio State’s dominant second-half performance.
“It was an all-around team effort tonight, but Bruce really stepped up when we needed him,” said Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann. “His poise, decision-making, and scoring were critical in getting us this win. We knew Penn State would challenge us, but Bruce handled the pressure and delivered for us.”
Ohio State started strong, building an early lead with efficient shooting and solid defense. The Buckeyes shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, including 8 of 18 from beyond the three-point arc, leading to a 41-33 halftime advantage.
Penn State, however, wasn’t going to go down without a fight. The Nittany Lions, led by guard Jalen Pickett, cut the lead to just four points midway through the second half, but Thornton and Ohio State quickly regained control. Thornton’s back-to-back three-pointers extended the lead and helped the Buckeyes regain their composure.
Despite Penn State’s effort to close the gap, the Buckeyes’ defense clamped down, limiting the Nittany Lions to just 35 percent shooting from the field in the second half. Forward Zed Key also provided a strong presence inside, finishing with a double-double, 14 points, and 10 rebounds.
“This is a big win for us,” Thornton said after the game. “We’ve had some tough losses recently, but tonight we came out and played with energy and confidence. We need to keep building on this momentum.”
The Buckeyes now look ahead to their next challenge, where they will travel to take on Illinois on Saturday. With this crucial win, Ohio State aims to stay in the hunt for a strong finish to their Big Ten schedule. Meanwhile, Penn State will try to regroup and bounce back as they continue their road trip.
Stay tuned for more updates as Ohio State looks to continue their momentum in the Big Ten.
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