Ohio State storms back from a 16-point deficit to beat No. 11 Purdue 73-70, showcasing a remarkable turnaround in the second half. Micah Parrish played a pivotal role in this victory, scoring 17 of his career-high 22 points during the final minutes of the game.
Parrish demonstrated impressive shooting skills, going 8-of-10 from the field and sinking a career-best six 3-pointers. His scoring surge included 11 points and three 3-pointers in a decisive run that propelled the Buckeyes ahead. Devin Royal also contributed significantly, adding 16 points to the team’s total, helping Ohio State (11-8, 3-5 Big Ten) end a three-game losing streak.
Purdue (15-5, 7-2), which had entered the game on a seven-game winning streak, was leading 59-53 with just over seven minutes remaining. However, Ohio State’s shooting was on fire in the second half, hitting 8 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc.
Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with 26 points, matching his career high, while Fletcher Loyer added 15 points. Braden Smith struggled, managing only 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field. Kaufman-Renn’s eight consecutive points brought Purdue within one point at 68-67 with just over a minute left, but they could not regain the lead.
Injuries also impacted Ohio State, as forward Colin White suffered a left ankle injury and spent the second half in a walking boot. Guard John Mobley Jr. faced a setback after a hard landing due to a foul.
Takeaways
For Ohio State, despite recent struggles, including losing five of their last six games and an early scoring drought of nearly four-and-a-half minutes, the team showed resilience and determination to fight back.
For Purdue, the loss highlighted issues with rebounding and shooting, particularly from three-point range, which proved costly in the final moments.
Key moment
Parrish’s scoring burst not only shifted the momentum but also instilled the confidence needed for the Buckeyes to secure the win.
Key stats
Ohio State finished the game shooting 53.3% from the field and an impressive 47.8% from three-point range.
Up next
Ohio State will face Iowa at home on Monday, while Purdue will host No. 21 Michigan on Friday.
