In Columbus, Ohio, Ohio State secured a 79-67 victory over Penn State on Saturday, with Evan Mahaffey, a sophomore transfer from Penn State, and Roddy Gayle Jr. both contributing 16 points each. The win marked a significant milestone for Ohio State’s head coach, Chris Holtmann, as it marked his 250th career victory and his 136th win in seven seasons with the Buckeyes.
Penn State entered the game with momentum, having recently defeated No. 11 Wisconsin, and aimed to sweep the season series after a remarkable comeback win against Ohio State in their previous matchup. However, Ohio State, coming off a three-game losing streak, quickly dispelled any doubts with a commanding performance from the start.
The Buckeyes initiated the game with an impressive 16-0 run in the first 6 minutes and 30 seconds, led by Gayle and Mahaffey. While Penn State managed to cut the deficit to 10 points late in the first half, Ohio State went into halftime with a comfortable 33-19 lead. The Buckeyes extended their lead to 23 points in the second half but faced a resurgence from Penn State. Despite Penn State’s efforts to narrow the gap with three-pointers, Ohio State maintained control and secured the victory.
In terms of turnovers, Ohio State displayed exceptional ball control, committing only six turnovers compared to Penn State’s five turnovers. Felix Okpara contributed significantly with 14 rebounds and eight points, while Jamison Battle added 11 points and six rebounds. Zed Key chipped in with 10 points off the bench.
For Penn State, Clary and Johnson were notable performers, each hitting 3 of 4 three-point attempts and finishing with 13 points. Kern contributed 12 points, and Ace Baldwin Jr. added 10. Despite Penn State’s efforts to get within single digits, Ohio State maintained its lead throughout the game.
Looking ahead, Ohio State is set to play at Nebraska on Tuesday, while Penn State will return home to face Minnesota on Saturday.
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