USC Men’s Team Falls Just Short in Competitive Match Against Ohio State
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Bruce Thornton delivered a standout performance with 21 points, including two crucial free throws in the final moments, to guide Ohio State to an 89-82 victory over USC on Wednesday.
The Buckeyes, now at 16-6 overall and 8-6 in Big Ten play, found themselves trailing 43-40 at halftime after struggling at the free-throw line, making only two of their first 13 attempts. However, Thornton played a pivotal role in the second half, becoming the fifth player in Ohio State history to surpass 1,935 career points, subsequently ranking fifth all-time in scoring for the program.
Ohio State garnered their largest lead of the game at 67-60 with eight minutes remaining, following a layup by Devin Royal and a three-pointer from John Mobley Jr. USC, boasting an 18-7 record and 7-7 in conference play, responded with a swift 7-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Jordan Marsh that brought the score to 70-69. Nevertheless, Christoph Tilly answered with a basket, and Royal added a jumper, restoring a five-point cushion.
In a nail-biting finish, Alijah Arenas of USC hit a three-pointer at 1:09 left to narrow the gap to 82-81. Thornton countered with a driving layup and converted the ensuing free throw, extending Ohio State’s lead to 85-81. The Trojans missed two key shots in the final 30 seconds, allowing Thornton to seal the game at the free-throw line.
Royal added 19 points and seven rebounds for Ohio State, while Mobley contributed 13 points. Thornton has now reached double figures in scoring for the 23rd time this season.
For USC, Arenas led the scoring with 25 points, supported by Kam Woods with 14 and Ezra Ausar, who recorded 13 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. The Trojans have faced a streak of eight consecutive games determined by seven points or fewer, highlighting the competitive nature of their recent matchups.
