At the Buzzer: Indiana 71, Ohio State 65

  • 01/06/2024 10:26 pm in

Quick thoughts on a 71-65 win against Ohio State:

How it happened

Indiana built a 7-point lead in the opening six minutes against Ohio State on Saturday night. Four different Hoosiers scored in IU’s 15-point spurt to start, and it looked like momentum was on the home team’s side. But Ohio State’s Jamison Battle began connecting from the perimeter, which helped the Buckeyes quickly flip things around. By the 5:58 mark, Ohio State led 30-23 on a Scotty Middleton 3-pointer, its largest lead of the half. The Hoosiers responded with a 14-8 run to close the half and get within one at the break. Both teams were efficient offensively in the opening 20 minutes, with Ohio State scoring 1.13 points per possession and Indiana at 1.10. Indiana won the first-half battle in paint points 24-10 and also scored 13 points off of seven Ohio State turnovers.

After Ohio State scored the first eight points of the second half – forcing Mike Woodson to take a timeout – Indiana answered with six straight to get within three at 46-43 with 16:14 remaining. The Hoosiers tied it at 48 on a Malik Reneau 3-pointer at the 12:07 mark. Indiana regained the lead on a Xavier Johnson 3-pointer with 9:50 to play, and a CJ Gunn jumper made it 55-52, leading to an Ohio State timeout. The lead grew to five at 57-52 on a Reneau bucket with 7:46 remaining. A 3-pointer from Gunn stretched the Hoosier lead to six, and a bucket from Johnson gave Indiana an eight-point edge at the 4:42 mark.

After Indiana extended the lead to 10, Ohio State scored the next five to make it 66-61. After Johnson split a pair of free throws, a Felix Okpara layup made it 67-63. Okpara was fouled but missed the free throw and Ohio State got the rebound and a bucket from Roddy Gayle Jr. to make it 67-65. Reneau answered with 1:15 to make it 69-65 Indiana. Gayle Jr. missed a layup on Ohio State’s ensuing possession and IU took a timeout with 36.2 seconds left. Mackenzie Mgbako turned it over with just over 23 seconds left, but Battle turned it over on Ohio State’s next possession with 15.8 seconds remaining. Bruce Thornton fouled Johnson, who made the first free throw and missed the second but got the rebound. Johnson made one of two free throws with 11.8 seconds to seal the win, Indiana’s third in conference play.

Standout performer

Reneau led the way for Indiana, finishing with 23 points on 10-for-16 shooting in 37 minutes. Johnson added 18 points in 34 minutes. He didn’t commit a turnover. Gunn was excellent off the bench, with 10 points in 24 minutes.

Statistics that stand out

Indiana turned 14 Ohio State turnovers into 22 points and outscored the Buckeyes 40-24 in the paint. Ohio State dominated on the glass, grabbing 22 offensive rebounds and scoring 24 second chance points.

Final IU individual statistics

Final tempo-free statistics

Assembly Call postgame show

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