Buckeyes get blown out by Northwestern at home

COLUMBUS – Ohio State is firmly back on the NCAA tournament bubble following a shocking loss at home to Northwestern on Thursday night. The Wildcats led by as many as 28 in second half as the Buckeyes offense failed to find a rhythm.

Final score: Northwestern 70, Ohio State 49. Jake Diebler’s team falls to 15-12 on the season and 7-9 in Big Ten Conference play.

Ohio State shot just 33% from the field including going 4-of-21 from three-point range. Senior guard Micah Parrish led the Buckeyes in scoring with 16 points. Junior guard Bruce Thornton was the only other Ohio State player in double-digits with 13 points. Backup guard Ques Glover scored six points off the bench.

The Buckeyes finished with a season-low 49 points in the loss. Ohio State only had more made field goal than turnover (17-16) in the game. They were also out-rebound by Northwestern 36-27.

Northwestern was led by senior guard Nick Martinelli who scored 18. Four other Wildcats finished with double-digits. Northwestern only made four three-point field goals but they were 25-54 from two-point range and went 18-of-19 from the free throw line. Overall, the Wildcats lead for over 34 minutes of game time.

Ohio State has four more regular season games before the Big Ten Tournament but only one of them is at home. The Buckeyes are back home for the final time against Nebraska on March 4. With the other three games being on the road, all against solid competition, the Buckeyes must win at least three to keep pace in their bid for an NCAA Tournament at-large berth in Jake Diebler’s first season in charge.

Ohio State remaining basketball schedule

Feb. 23 at UCLA
Feb. 26 at USC
March 4 vs. Nebraska
March 8 at Indiana
March 12-16 Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis)