COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a crucial NCAA tournament showdown, Ohio State secured an 86-74 victory over UCLA on January 17, 2026. The Buckeyes were fueled by a standout performance from John Mobley Jr., who scored a career-high 28 points and made six 3-pointers.
Bruce Thornton contributed significantly with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Devin Royal added 22 points and nine rebounds. The win was pivotal for Ohio State as both teams vie for a spot in the NCAA tournament.
UCLA initially held a six-point lead in the first half, but Ohio State rallied, ending the half with a 12-6 run to take a 42-36 advantage at the break. Mobley and Royal ignited the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers, quickly extending the lead to 48-36 within two minutes.
The Bruins attempted to claw back, narrowing the score to 54-40 midway through the half. However, the Buckeyes answered with an 8-3 run, capped by Mobley”s long-range shot that pushed the lead to 66-49 with just over ten minutes left in the game. Ohio State maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of the contest.
Mobley showcased his shooting prowess, going 8 of 15 from the field and 6 of 12 from beyond the arc, while also dishing out three assists without committing a turnover in 38 minutes of play. Thornton was perfect from the free-throw line, hitting all seven attempts, and the Buckeyes overall converted 21 of 25 free throws, out-rebounding UCLA 37-27.
For UCLA, Tyler Bilodeau led the scoring effort with 30 points on 9-of-19 shooting, marking his seventh game this season with 20 or more points and his second career 30-point game. Donovan Dent chipped in with 13 points and seven assists, while Eric Dailey Jr. added 12 points. The Bruins struggled with their shooting, finishing at 40 percent from the field.
This matchup not only highlighted the talents of players like Mobley and Bilodeau but also showcased the competitive landscape as teams push for NCAA tournament eligibility. Ohio State”s ability to dominate in the second half was key to their success against a determined UCLA squad.
