Overview
- The Buckeyes improved to 12-5 and the Bruins fell to 12-6 after the 86-74 result in Columbus.
- Ohio State’s backcourt controlled the game, with John Mobley Jr. scoring 28 and Bruce Thornton adding 21 points and eight rebounds.
- Rebounding swung the matchup, as Ohio State held a 37-27 edge and grabbed 12 more defensive boards.
- UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau poured in 30 points, but the Bruins’ offense could not compensate for breakdowns on the glass and at the point of attack.
- Cronin said "blame me" and criticized his team’s lack of willingness to do the "dirty work"; UCLA’s Skyy Clark remains a hamstring concern and Ohio State continues to manage frontcourt injuries, with UCLA set to host No. 5 Purdue on Tuesday.