At the buzzer: Indiana 71, Ohio State 65

Quick thoughts on the 71-65 win over Ohio State:

how did that happen

Indiana took a 7-point lead in the first six minutes against Ohio State on Saturday night. Four different Hoosiers scored on IU’s 15-point spurt in the first, and it seemed like the momentum was on the home team’s side. But Ohio State’s Jamison battle started with contact from the perimeter, which helped the Buckeyes turn things around quickly. By 5:58, Ohio State took a 30-23 lead on Scotty Middleton’s 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 first 20 minutes, with Ohio State scoring 1.13 points per possession and Indiana 1.10. Indiana won the first-half battle in the paint 24-10 and also scored 13 points off 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 points 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, forcing an Ohio State timeout. The lead rose to five at 57-52 on Reno’s bucket with 7:46 remaining. A 3-pointer from Gunn extended the Hoosier lead to six, and a bucket from Johnson gave Indiana an eight-point lead at the 4:42 mark.

After Indiana State extended the lead to 10, Ohio State scored the next five to make it 66-61. After Johnson made two free throws, Felix Okpara scored a layup to make the score 67-63. Okpara was fouled but missed the free throw and Ohio State got the rebound and a bucket from Rudy Gayle Jr. to make it 67-65. Reno 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 left. 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 in 11.8 seconds to seal the win, Indiana’s third in conference play.

Outstanding performance

Reno 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 did not commit a turnover. Gunn was excellent off the bench, scoring 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 the glass, grabbing 22 offensive rebounds and scoring 24 second-chance points.