Ohio State Mounts Epic Comeback, Edges West Virginia in Double Overtime Thriller
In a captivating display of resilience and clutch performance, the Ohio State Buckeyes staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the West Virginia Mountaineers 89-88 in a thrilling double-overtime contest at the Cleveland Hoops Showdown on Saturday night. The Buckeyes, trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half, found their hero in Bruce Thornton, who delivered the go-ahead jumper with a mere 3.6 seconds remaining on the clock.
Thornton, who had a quiet first half, exploded after the break, pouring in 19 of his game-high 21 points. His decisive jumper, a contested shot that found the bottom of the net, capped a furious rally that left the Mountaineers stunned and secured a hard-fought victory for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes, now with an 8-2 record, owe much of their second-half surge to freshman Amare Bynum. Bynum, who entered the game to start the second half, ignited the Ohio State offense, scoring 15 of his season-high 17 points after halftime. He provided a crucial spark, helping to chip away at West Virginia’s substantial lead.
Adding significant offensive firepower for Ohio State were John Mobley Jr. and Christoph Tilly. Mobley Jr. also contributed 17 points, matching Bynum’s output, while Tilly dominated the boards, recording a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Their combined efforts were instrumental in Ohio State’s ability to claw back into the game.
West Virginia, despite the heartbreaking loss, showcased a strong performance from several key players. Honor Huff led the Mountaineers, pouring in a game-high 24 points, including five crucial three-pointers. His offensive prowess kept West Virginia in contention throughout the fiercely contested matchup.
Brenen Lorient was another standout for the Mountaineers, scoring 18 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting performance from the field. Lorient was particularly effective from beyond the arc, knocking down all three of his three-point attempts. Jasper Floyd and Chance Moore also contributed significantly to West Virginia’s scoring, each adding 14 points to the team’s tally.
The game’s narrative was one of dramatic swings. West Virginia appeared to be in firm control for much of the second half, building their largest lead of the game, 51-37, with 13:52 remaining in regulation. This significant advantage was fueled by a strong offensive stretch that included a pull-up jumper from Floyd, a step-back three from Huff, and another triple from Jackson Fields.
However, Ohio State refused to fold. They mounted a determined offensive push, highlighted by a Mobley Jr. three-pointer as the shot clock expired. This shot capped a 10-3 run, giving the Buckeyes their first lead of the second half with just 52 seconds left in regulation. The back-and-forth scoring continued as Huff assisted Jackson Fields for a layup that knotted the score at 68-all, ultimately forcing overtime.
The first overtime period saw more nail-biting action. Huff once again delivered a clutch shot, a contested side-step three-pointer that gave West Virginia a one-point lead with about a minute remaining. However, Devin Royal responded by making one of two free throws to tie the game at 77, pushing the contest into a second overtime.
In the closing moments of regulation, after West Virginia had briefly regained a one-point lead with 11 seconds left on a long two-point shot from Huff, Thornton’s decisive jumper proved to be the final blow, securing the improbable victory for the Buckeyes.
Key Performances:
- Ohio State:
- Bruce Thornton: 21 points (19 in second half/OT)
- Amare Bynum: 17 points (15 in second half/OT)
- John Mobley Jr.: 17 points
- Christoph Tilly: 14 points, 11 rebounds
- West Virginia:
- Honor Huff: 24 points (5 three-pointers)
- Brenen Lorient: 18 points (7-7 FG, 3-3 3PT)
- Jasper Floyd: 14 points
- Chance Moore: 14 points
Looking Ahead:
- West Virginia: The Mountaineers are set to host Mississippi Valley State on December 22nd.
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes will face a significant test when they take on No. 14 North Carolina at the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta.