# Buckeyes Hold Off Late Penn State Rally for Big Ten Win

- Link: https://exclusiveaccess.net/buckeyes-hold-off-late-penn-state-rally-for-big-ten-win/
- Published: 2026-01-27T08:47:54-05:00
- Author: Amanee Muhammad

 

John Mobley Jr. poured in a game-high 25 points as Ohio State held off a late Penn
State surge for an 84–78 win Monday night.

Mobley shot 7-for-14 from the field, knocking down five three-pointers and converting
all six of his free throws. He added five assists and three steals to help the Buckeyes
improve to 14–6 overall and 6–4 in Big Ten play, surviving after seeing a 50–32 
halftime lead trimmed to one possession in the second half.

Amare Bynum chipped in 15 points, five rebounds and three steals, while Devin Royal
finished with 14 points. Off the bench, sophomore Taison Chatman delivered a career-
high 11 points, and Bruce Thornton added nine as he closed in on Ohio State’s all-
time scoring list.

With Christoph Tilly sidelined, sophomore Ivan Njegovan earned his first career 
start. The 7-foot-1 center scored all eight of his points after halftime, grabbed
three rebounds and recorded two blocks before fouling out.

Penn State mounted its comeback behind Eli Rice, who connected on six three-pointers
and scored 20 points to lead the Nittany Lions. Ivan Juric posted a double-double
with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Josh Reed and Melih Tunca each added 13.

Ohio State jumped out quickly, opening the game on a 22–11 run and extending the
advantage to 18 points at the break after late three-pointers from Mobley and Chatman.

Penn State answered early in the second half, using a 22–8 run fueled by three triples
from Rice to cut the deficit to 58–54. Reed later completed a three-point play to
make it a one-point game, but Mobley responded with a pair of free throws and a 
key three-pointer to steady the Buckeyes down the stretch and secure the win.