Ohio State holds off late Iowa rally

Buckeyes advance to Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

No. 8 seed Ohio State defeated No. 9 seed Iowa 72-69 in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament. Bruce Thornton led Ohio State with 24 points, while John Mobley Jr. scored all 12 of his points in the second half. Ohio State held off a late Iowa rally to secure the victory and advance to the quarterfinals to face top-seeded Michigan.

Why it matters

This win keeps Ohio State's postseason hopes alive as they advance in the Big Ten Tournament. The Buckeyes had lost both regular-season meetings with Michigan, so this quarterfinal matchup presents an opportunity for Ohio State to avenge those losses and potentially earn a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Ohio State built a 16-point lead in the second half, but Iowa rallied late to get within one point in the final minute. The Buckeyes were able to hold on, with Mobley making two free throws in the closing seconds to seal the victory. Bennett Stirtz led Iowa with 17 points in the losing effort.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 13, 2026.
  • Ohio State will face Michigan in the quarterfinals on Friday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Bruce Thornton

A key player for Ohio State, scoring a team-high 24 points in the win.

John Mobley Jr.

Scored all 12 of his points in the second half to help Ohio State hold off Iowa's late rally.

Bennett Stirtz

Led Iowa with 17 points in the losing effort.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must have been a little too comfortable with the lead, but credit to Iowa for fighting back. We're just glad to get the win and move on to the next round.”

— Bruce Thornton, Ohio State Player

What’s next

Ohio State will face top-seeded and third-ranked Michigan in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday, March 14, 2026.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory keeps Ohio State's postseason hopes alive as they advance to the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. The Buckeyes will now have a chance to avenge their two regular-season losses to Michigan and potentially improve their NCAA Tournament seeding.