The Ohio State Buckeyes haven’t had the season most expected they would thus far, particularly struggling on the road this year. In fact, they came into their matchup on Sunday against the Michigan State Spartans without a single win on the road all season long. But that all changed in a dramatic conclusion to Sunday’s game that went in their favor.
Buckeyes fans have to look all the way back to January of 2023 to find their last road victory, a win over Northwestern in their first conference game of the year last season.
Since then, they have piled up an 0-17 record in road games. But luckily, they were able to snap this lengthy streak in an extremely tight matchup on Sunday that came down to the wire.
Ohio State found themselves with a chance to win the game after a free throw from Michigan State’s Tyson Walker tied the game up at 57-57 with only six seconds remaining in regulation.
The Buckeyes rushed it up the court, finding senior guard Dale Bonner in the corner who made a heavily contested stepback three as time expired to win the game.
Ohio State at the buzzer to beat Michigan State! 🏀pic.twitter.com/5Cy1RdaabK
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 26, 2024
It’s an extremely clutch shot from an unlikely hero in Bonner, who has only averaged 4.4 points per game on the year coming into Sunday’s game.
Regardless, it not only snaps the team’s massive road losing streak, but it also gives the team some much-needed momentum as they approach the Big Ten Tournament. A deep run or perhaps even winning the tournament may very well be their only way of getting into the NCAA Tournament.
The Buckeyes have shown this year that they can compete with the elite teams in the Big Ten. Their win over No. 2 Purdue earlier this month certainly proves that.
Consistency has been the issue with this team. And Buckeyes fans are sure hoping this win can help spark a run down the stretch of this season to perhaps get into The Big Dance.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.