Bruce Thornton’s Career-High 33 Points Powers Ohio State to a 103-83 Win Over Indiana State

Columbus, OH – Ohio State’s basketball program continued its upward trajectory on Sunday with an electrifying performance led by Bruce Thornton. The sophomore guard notched a career-high 33 points, propelling the Buckeyes to a 103-83 victory over Indiana State. With five players scoring in double figures, Ohio State showcased its depth and resilience, especially in the second half, to improve to 9-4 on the season.

Thornton was the star of the night, shooting an impressive 11-of-16 from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and a near-perfect 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. His 33-point outburst came just a week after he dropped 30 points in a thrilling upset over Kentucky, further cementing his status as the team’s leader.

The Buckeyes held a slim five-point lead at halftime, plagued by defensive lapses on the perimeter and inconsistent free-throw shooting (13-of-20). Indiana State capitalized on those weaknesses, hitting 9-of-20 three-pointers in the first half and keeping the game close. However, the second half was a different story. Ohio State tightened its defense, holding the Sycamores to just one three-pointer after the break, and found its rhythm offensively.

Thornton’s brilliance was on full display during a pivotal stretch late in the game. After drawing a shooting foul, he sank both free throws and capitalized on a technical foul called on Indiana State’s Samage Teel, converting two more from the line. Thornton then added back-to-back layups, single-handedly extending the Buckeyes’ lead to 94-75 with just over four minutes remaining. From there, Ohio State cruised to victory.

While Thornton stole the show, his teammates also delivered solid performances. Ques Glover contributed 15 points, while freshmen Devin Royal and Aaron Bradshaw each added 13. John Mobley Jr. chipped in 11, emphasizing the balanced attack that will be crucial as the Buckeyes face tougher competition in Big Ten play.

For Indiana State, Jaden Daughtry led the effort with 25 points, but the Sycamores struggled to maintain their first-half momentum. The team managed just one three-pointer in the second half, falling short of their season average of 11 per game.

This game marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs and served as a confidence boost for Ohio State as they transition to conference play. Head coach Jake Diebler, in his first season, is already building momentum with a signature win over Kentucky and now a dominant performance against Indiana State.

Up next, the Buckeyes face a grueling three-game stretch in seven days, beginning with a highly anticipated matchup against No. 18 Michigan State on Thursday. With Thornton playing at an elite level and the team finding its groove, Ohio State is poised to make waves in the Big Ten.