Ohio State Basketball Routs Youngstown State In Home Opener
The Ohio State Buckeyes opened their 2023-24 season with a resounding 110-59 victory over the Youngstown State Penguins at Value City Arena on Tuesday night.
The Buckeyes, ranked 15th in the preseason AP Poll, dominated the game from start to finish, leading by as many as 53 points in the second half. Guard Bruce Thornton led the way for Ohio State with 22 points, while forward Justice Sueing added 18 points and forward Zed Key chipped in 17 points.
Dominant First Half Sets Stage
Ohio State's defense set the tone early, holding Youngstown State to just 25% shooting in the first half. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, shot 50% from the field and took a commanding 63-28 lead into halftime.
Thornton was particularly impressive in the first half, scoring 15 points and dishing out four assists. Key also made his presence felt, grabbing eight rebounds to go along with his 15 first-half points.
Buckeyes Cruise in Second Half
The second half was more of the same as Ohio State continued to pour it on. The Buckeyes shot 53% from the field in the second half and held Youngstown State to just 32% shooting.
Sueing emerged as a force in the second half, scoring 13 of his 18 points. Forward Isaac Likekele also played well, scoring 10 points and dishing out seven assists.
Impressive Defensive Performance
In addition to their offensive firepower, the Buckeyes also put together a strong defensive performance. They forced 17 Youngstown State turnovers and held the Penguins to just 37% shooting for the game.
Guard Sean McNeil led Youngstown State with 17 points, but he was the only Penguin to reach double figures. The Penguins shot just 28% from three-point range and were outrebounded by Ohio State 45-30.
Conclusion
The Buckeyes' victory over Youngstown State was a dominant performance that showcased their potential for the upcoming season. They showed impressive balance on both ends of the court and have the talent to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Ohio State will return to action on Friday, November 11th, when they host the Wright State Raiders at Value City Arena.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce Thornton | 22 | 3 | 4 |
| Justice Sueing | 18 | 7 | 2 |
| Zed Key | 17 | 8 | 1 |
| Isaac Likekele | 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Sean McNeil (Youngstown State) | 17 | 2 | 2 |