by Story and photo’s by Ben Nichols
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Evansville struggled mightily, shooting just 19% for the game, while Ohio State capitalized on its defensive intensity to find an offensive rhythm. Freshman forward Devin Royal starred for the Buckeyes, recording a career-high 18 points and 11 rebounds, marking his first collegiate double-double.
First Half: Slow Start, Strong Finish
Ohio State began the game ice-cold, missing its first five field goal attempts and going over five minutes without a basket. Meechie Johnson Jr., who recently returned to the Buckeyes’ lineup, broke the drought with a contested three-pointer to tie the game at 5-5. The Buckeyes continued to struggle, hitting just two of their first 12 attempts from the field.
Evansville managed to keep pace early, tying the game at 12 with a triple from Joshua Hughes. However, Ohio State closed the half on a decisive 16-2 run, fueled by John Mobley Jr.’s five-point outburst and a series of free throws. By halftime, the Buckeyes held a 28-14 lead despite shooting just 29.2% from the field, thanks to a stifling defensive effort that held the Aces to an abysmal 12.9%.
Second Half: Buckeyes Find Their Groove
Ohio State came out of the locker room with renewed energy, led by Micah Parrish, who scored the team’s first six points of the half. A highlight-reel alley-oop from Johnson to Aaron Bradshaw brought the crowd to life, as the Buckeyes began to pull away. Johnson added a three-pointer and Mobley capped a 7-0 run with free throws, pushing the lead to 43-20.
The Buckeyes continued to build momentum, as Royal hit back-to-back jumpers and Evan Mahaffey threw down a dunk to extend the lead to 52-24. Freshman Colin White added to the excitement with two three-pointers, earning a standing ovation after his second make.
In the final minutes, freshman center Ivan Njegovan made the most of his opportunity, scoring his first seven collegiate points, including a banked-in three-pointer that sealed the 50-point win.
Key Performances
• Devin Royal: 18 points, 11 rebounds (career-high)
• Meechie Johnson Jr.: 13 points, 5-of-8 shooting, 3-of-6 from three
• John Mobley Jr.: 9 points, 4 assists
• Micah Parrish: 8 points, 5 rebounds
Game Notes
• Ohio State improved to 5-0 all-time against Evansville.
• Meechie Johnson Jr. reached 1,000 career points with his first basket of the game.
• Halftime entertainment featured a chaotic yet entertaining wiener dog race, with the dogs hilariously running off-course before being redirected.
What’s Next
Ohio State continues its four-game homestand against Campbell on Friday, with tipoff set for 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. The Buckeyes will look to maintain their defensive intensity and build on their offensive rhythm as they prepare for tougher competition ahead.
