By Danielle Daniels

Chris Holtmann OSU M BKB coach Postgame Press Conference #15 Badgers 71 Buckeyes 60 1 10 2024.mp3

1/10/2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jamison Battle scored 18 points but Ohio State dropped a second-consecutive game after falling 71-60 against No. 15 Wisconsin on Wednesday night at Value City Arena.

The Buckeyes are now 2-3 in Big Ten play and 12-4 on the season.

Graduate transfer Jamison Battle posted 18 points, leading the Buckeyes in scoring while shooting 7-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-5 from long range and grabbing eight boards.

Sophomore Bruce Thornton added 13 points while dishing out six assists, one shy of his career high.

The Buckeyes stayed true to their script in the first half with Battle and Thornton leading the charge as the team jumped out to a 17-13 lead by the midway mark of the half. Two clutch threes by Battle to beat the shot clock would keep the Buckeyes in front. Wisconsin then surged on offense, ending the half on back-to-back unanswered threes to secure a 35-33 edge at the break.

The Badgers would get out to a quick start in the second half, but the Buckeyes wouldn’t back down, using their defense to stay in the game and only trail 48-44 with 10 minutes to play. Felix Okpara then sparked a 10-2 Buckeye run with a put-back and-one and was punctuated by a three-pointer in transition by Scotty Middleton. The Buckeye lead was 56-52 with 6:19 but Wisconsin closed on a 19-4 run to run away with the victory.

The Buckeyes are next in action on Monday for a Martin Luther King Day matinee at Michigan. Tip-off is set for noon in Ann Arbor.

• With his 18 points, Jamison Battle has now scored 17 or more points in each of the last five games and is averaging 18.2 ppg over that span.
• Battle was 4-of-5 from long range and has made 25 three-pointers in the last five games. He has also grabbed eight rebounds or more in four of the last five games.
• Felix Okpara extended his consecutive game streak with a block to 22 with a swat in the opening minutes.
• Okpara was 3-of-3 from the floor, finishing with seven points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
• Bruce Thornton had six assists and just one turnover.

COURTESY OSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS