Ohio State University secured a thrilling 86-82 victory over Northwestern University in their Big Ten opener on March 2, 2024. The Buckeyes, now holding a record of 7-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference, displayed remarkable shooting accuracy, converting 57% of their attempts from the field.
Leading the charge for Ohio State was Brandon Noel, who scored an impressive 29 points on 13-for-15 shooting. His pivotal contributions included a key stretch in the second half where the Buckeyes surged ahead with an 18-7 run, establishing a 64-61 lead with just under nine minutes remaining.
Despite Northwestern’s efforts to regain control, Arrinten Page managed to tie the game with a three-pointer shortly after. Noel responded decisively, netting four consecutive points through two free throws and a layup, pushing Ohio State’s lead to 81-73 with 2:10 left on the clock. Although the Wildcats narrowed the gap to a single point at 82-81 in the final seconds, the Buckeyes maintained their composure, sealing the win from the free-throw line.
In addition to Noel’s standout performance, Bruce Thornton contributed significantly with 17 points and 10 assists. Amare Bynum added 11 points, and Devin Royal chipped in with 10 points for Ohio State.
For Northwestern, Nick Martinelli was the standout performer, scoring 32 points and grabbing eight rebounds. His efforts included an impressive first half where he scored 18 points, helping the Wildcats to a 44-40 lead at halftime. Other contributors for Northwestern included Angelo Ciaravino with 14 points and Arrinten Page with 13 points.
Upcoming Challenges for Both Teams
Ohio State will host the University of Illinois at Chicago, currently ranked No. 14, on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Northwestern will look to bounce back as they face Jackson State at home next Saturday.
In another game on the same day, Cleveland State University fell to Detroit Mercy by a score of 71-59. J Nadeau led the Titans with 26 points and five rebounds, while Orlando Lovejoy contributed 17 points and six assists. Cleveland State’s Jaidon Lipscomb was the top scorer for the Vikings with 15 points, alongside Preist Ryan, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
With this loss, Cleveland State’s record stands at 3-8 overall and 0-2 in the Horizon League. The team will aim to regroup and improve in their upcoming matchups.
