By Danielle Daniels

3 3 2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State continued to roll and celebrated senior day in style, beating Michigan 84-61 on Sunday at Value City Arena.

The win was the third-consecutive win as the Buckeyes advance to 18-12 overall and 8-11 in the Big Ten Conference.

Bruce Thornton led 11 Buckeye scorers with 17 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists. The sophomore went a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line. Roddy Gayle Jr. added 11 points in the second half, going perfect from the field, to end with 15 for the game. Zed Key finished with nine points, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Scotty Middleton was 2-of-2 from long range and finished with eight points. Jamison Battle also made a pair of three-pointers and had eight points, two assists and two steals.

The Buckeyes had seven dunks and would outscore Michigan 22-2 in fast break points. Because of those run-out points, Ohio State finished at 56.3 percent from the floor, including a season-high 71.4 percent in the second half.

Key’s poster dunk kick-started the game for the Buckeyes, who then put on a defensive masterclass, allowing just two points in the first seven minutes of the game. Ohio State ended the first half with six steals and nine forced turnovers but only led 32-27 at the break.

The Buckeyes’ opening to the second half mirrored the first half as they hit their first four shots and blitzed the Wolverines with a 10-0 run out of the gate. Michigan hung remained within striking distance as the Wolverines were within seven with 10 minutes to play. Ohio State then kicked into overdrive, launching a 23-5 run down the stretch with buckets scored from seven different Buckeyes. The lead ballooned to as many as 29 points down the stretch and the Buckeyes would finish with an 84-61 victory.

The 23-point win is the largest over Michigan since a 72-46 win at home in 2005.

COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS