In the early moments of Ohio State's matchup against Western Michigan, small bowls of ice on the Buckeyes' bench might have seemed like a necessity. The reason? The hands of the Buckeyes' shooters were scorching hot, setting the stage for an impressive performance.
The game unfolded with Ohio State dominating from the start, as reflected in the final score: Western Michigan 56, Ohio State 73. The Buckeyes' shooters, who had a modest 33% start to the season from beyond the arc, exploded with a 7-for-10 display in the early stages of the game. This set the tone for a remarkable 10-for-25 finish from deep, showcasing a remarkable improvement in their three-point shooting.
Within the first 11 minutes of play, Ohio State established a commanding 20-point lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The Buckeyes cruised to a 73-56 victory, marking a successful start to the Emerald Coast Classic.
The offensive onslaught was a team effort, with five Ohio State players finishing in double figures. Jamison Battle and Roddy Gayle Jr. led the charge with 13 points each, while Bruce Thornton contributed 12 points. Dale Bonner and Zed Key added 11 points each to the balanced scoring attack.
The Buckeyes' 3-point barrage was relentless, with players like Battle, Thornton, and Bonner showcasing their shooting prowess. The first half saw Ohio State finish 8-for-15 from beyond the arc, coupled with a 15-6 advantage in bench scoring, leading to a comfortable 41-21 halftime lead.
While the Buckeyes' 3-point shooting cooled off slightly in the second half, their effective 2-point scoring and crisp passing on fast breaks ensured that the lead remained secure. The team displayed resilience, with players like Felix Okpara and Gayle executing impressive plays, including an alley-oop with a flashy layup.
Despite a brief scoring drought in the second half, Ohio State maintained a substantial lead throughout the game. Bonner reached double figures for the first time with the Buckeyes, capping off his impressive performance with a crucial 3-pointer.
As the game winded down, Ohio State emptied its bench, providing valuable playing time to bench players. The victory against Western Michigan sets the stage for the Buckeyes' upcoming challenge in Niceville, Fla., where they will face Alabama in their second game of the Emerald Coast Classic. The matchup, scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, will be Ohio State's first away game of the season, adding an extra layer of anticipation for fans and players alike.
