Ohio State upsets No. 8 Purdue 82-74

Buckeyes revive NCAA Tournament hopes with big win over ranked Boilermakers

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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John Mobley Jr. scored 21 points to lead Ohio State to an 82-74 victory over No. 8 Purdue on Sunday. The Buckeyes used a 14-3 run in the first half to take the lead and held on for the win, reviving their fading NCAA Tournament hopes.

Why it matters

This win is a major boost for Ohio State's chances of making the NCAA Tournament, as they were on the bubble heading into this game against the highly-ranked Boilermakers. The Buckeyes have now beaten Purdue three times in a row, showing they can compete with one of the Big Ten's top teams.

The details

Ohio State trailed by as many as seven in the first half, but used a 14-3 run to take the lead. The Buckeyes led by five at halftime despite Purdue making 8 of 14 from 3-point range, as Ohio State made 8 of 11 free throws compared to just 1 of 2 for the Boilermakers. Ohio State extended its lead to 16 points in the second half, but Purdue made a late run to get within six before the Buckeyes closed it out.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The players

John Mobley Jr.

The Ohio State guard scored a team-high 21 points in the win.

Bruce Thornton

The Ohio State guard finished with 20 points.

Braden Smith

The Purdue guard scored a game-high 20 points in the loss.

Fletcher Loyer

The Purdue guard added 15 points in the defeat.

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What they’re saying

“This win is a major boost for our NCAA Tournament hopes. We showed we can compete with one of the best teams in the Big Ten.”

— John Mobley Jr., Ohio State Guard

What’s next

Ohio State will look to build on this win when they travel to face Penn State on Wednesday. Purdue, meanwhile, will try to bounce back on the road against Northwestern.

The takeaway

Ohio State's victory over No. 8 Purdue has revived the Buckeyes' NCAA Tournament hopes, showing they can beat a top team in the Big Ten. This win could be a turning point in their season as they make a late push for the Big Dance.