If you were looking for the Ohio State score yesterday, you probably saw a bit of a masterpiece at the Schottenstein Center. Honestly, it was the kind of game the Buckeyes desperately needed after hitting a few speed bumps in conference play. Ohio State took down UCLA 86-74 on Saturday afternoon, and while the 12-point margin looks solid on paper, the way they got there was even more impressive.
Jake Diebler’s squad didn't just win; they controlled the tempo from the opening tip. It’s kinda rare to see a Big Ten matchup where a team never actually trails, but that’s exactly what happened here. By the time the final buzzer rang through the arena on January 17, 2026, the Buckeyes had improved to 12-5 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten.
The star of the show? John Mobley Jr. was absolutely electric. He dropped a career-high 28 points, including a back-breaking three-pointer right as the halftime buzzer sounded. That shot sent Ohio State into the locker room with a 42-36 lead and all the momentum in the world.
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Breaking Down the 86-74 Win Over UCLA
It wasn't just the Mobley show, though he certainly played the lead role. Ohio State actually had three different players cross the 20-point threshold, which is basically a nightmare for any opposing defense. Devin Royal was a force inside and out, finishing with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Meanwhile, Bruce Thornton did what Bruce Thornton does—steadying the ship and chipping in 21 points of his own.
The second half was where the Buckeyes really slammed the door. They opened on a 12-0 run that pushed the lead to 50-36. UCLA, led by Tyler Bilodeau’s 30 points, tried to make a run back into it, but they just couldn't get stops. Ohio State shot nearly 53% from the floor. You aren't going to lose many games when you shoot like that and win the rebounding battle by ten.
Key Stats from the Matchup
- John Mobley Jr.: 28 points, 6-of-10 from three.
- Devin Royal: 22 points, 9 rebounds.
- Free Throws: 21-of-25 (This was huge late in the game).
- Points in the Paint: Ohio State outscored UCLA by 12 inside.
It’s worth noting that this win was a massive resume builder. Before this, Ohio State had been hovering around the "bubble" in most bracketology reports. Beating a UCLA team that came in with a winning conference record provides the kind of "Quadrant 1" or "Quadrant 2" win that the selection committee obsessed over in March.
What Happened to Ohio State Football?
If you were actually searching for the Ohio State score because you were thinking about the gridiron, the news isn't quite as rosy. The 2025-2026 football season ended on New Year's Eve in a way that most Buckeye fans are still trying to forget.
Ohio State fell to Miami (FL) 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl, which served as a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal. It was a weird game. The Buckeyes finished the regular season a perfect 12-0, looking like the best team in the country. Then they lost a heartbreaker to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship (13-10) and followed it up with that flat performance against the Hurricanes.
The defense, which had been historic all year—allowing 16 points or less in every single regular-season game—finally looked human against Miami's conservative attack. Jeremiah Smith had a big night with 157 receiving yards, but the offense just couldn't find the end zone when it mattered most.
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Final 2025 Football Results Recap
- Big Ten Championship: Indiana 13, Ohio State 10.
- Cotton Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal): Miami 24, Ohio State 14.
- Final Record: 12-2.
Why This Matters for the Rest of 2026
The basketball team is right in the thick of the Big Ten gauntlet now. After the UCLA win, they don't get much time to celebrate. They host Minnesota this Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. on BTN. If they can string together a few more wins against the middle of the pack in the Big Ten, they’ll be looking at a very comfortable seed come tournament time.
On the football side, the focus has already shifted to spring ball and the "what's next" phase. With Brian Hartline moving on and several key defenders heading to the NFL, Ryan Day is facing a bit of a retooling year. However, landing top-tier recruits like Chris Henry Jr. keeps the expectations in Columbus exactly where they always are: National Title or bust.
Honestly, being a Buckeye fan right now is a bit of a rollercoaster. You have the high of the basketball team finally clicking and the lingering "what if" of a football season that started so perfectly but ended without a trophy.
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Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Minnesota Game: Tuesday night is a classic "trap game" after a big win over UCLA. Tune in to see if the intensity stays high.
- Check the Bubble Watch: Keep an eye on ESPN’s Joe Lunardi; Ohio State should see a bump in the "First Four Out" or "Last Four In" categories this week.
- Spring Game Prep: Football fans should mark their calendars for mid-April. The quarterback battle to replace Sayin will start there.
Keep an eye on the shooting percentages for Mobley Jr. moving forward. If he remains a consistent threat from deep, it opens up everything for Royal and Thornton inside. That trio is the key to how far this basketball season can actually go.