Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament dreams likely dashed after a 77-70 loss to Iowa, where Brock Harding delivered a standout performance with 15 points, including a pivotal 3-pointer that propelled the 15th-seeded Hawkeyes to victory in their Big Ten Tournament opener on Wednesday night.
The Buckeyes, who were teetering on the brink of NCAA Tournament inclusion, faced their fifth defeat in seven games, with all but one of these losses coming by narrow margins. Prior to this game, Mike DeCourcy had Ohio State listed among the last four teams projected to make the tournament, but their inability to advance in the conference tournament may alter that outlook.
Ohio State had opportunities to secure a win against Iowa. After leveling the score at 61 with 7:25 remaining, they faltered, missing three consecutive shots and committing three turnovers before finally scoring again, falling behind 68-61.
In a tense finish, Bruce Thornton managed a three-point play and followed with a pull-up jumper after a Harding turnover, narrowing Ohio State’s deficit to 72-70 with just 45 seconds left. However, Harding responded with a critical 3-pointer, and after Thornton missed a chance to tie, Payton Sandfort sealed the game for Iowa with two free throws.
With this victory, Iowa (17-15) is set to face seventh-seeded Illinois (20-11) in the second round on Thursday.
Payton Sandfort led the Hawkeyes with 17 points in a game where they shot an impressive 55% from the field (29-of-53). Josh Dix contributed 16 points, while Pryce Sandfort added 10. Harding showcased his shooting skills, hitting 5-of-6 from the floor and sinking three 3-pointers.
On the other side, Thornton was the standout for Ohio State (17-15), scoring 24 points and dishing out nine assists. Devin Royal added 17 points, and Micah Parrish chipped in with 16.
The game featured 13 lead changes and 10 ties, illustrating the competitive nature of the matchup. Iowa excelled from beyond the arc, hitting 10-of-24 3-point attempts, while Ohio State struggled, making just 5-of-22.
The teams were tied at 37 at halftime, but Iowa surged ahead in the second half, launching a 17-9 run that gave them a 54-46 lead with roughly 14 minutes remaining. The Hawkeyes took control for good at 62-61 with 7:11 left on the clock.
