In a thrilling finish, Dale Bonner's clutch three-pointer in the final seconds propelled Ohio State University (OSU) to a 60-57 victory over Michigan State, ending a school-record 17-game road losing streak. The Buckeyes' improbable win came before a sellout crowd of 14,797 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

OSU interim head coach Jake Diebler commended his team's resilience and credited their character in overcoming a challenging matchup against a veteran Michigan State team led by Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo.

Trailing by 12 points during the second half, the Buckeyes mounted an impressive comeback. Guard Roddy Gayle's two free throws gave OSU their first lead of the game, 57-56, with just 11.9 seconds remaining. However, Michigan State's Tyson Walker was fouled and managed to tie the game at 57-57 with a split free throw.

With no timeouts remaining, OSU's freshman Devin Royal inbounded the ball to guard Bruce Thornton. Under pressure, Thornton quickly passed to Bonner on the left wing. Showing tremendous composure, Bonner created space with a jab step and sank the game-winning three-point shot with only two-tenths of a second left on the clock. Michigan State's inbound attempt fell short, and OSU celebrated the end of their road losing streak.

Bonner, who had been averaging just 4.4 points per game and shooting 28% from beyond the arc, emerged as an unlikely hero. He reflected on his game-winning shot, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and emphasizing the team's collective efforts.

The victory not only snapped OSU's record 17-game road losing streak, dating back to January 2023, but also ended their nine-game losing streak at the Breslin Center since 2012.

Coach Diebler expressed his pride in the team's performance, hailing their togetherness and ability to capitalize on the opportunity. He acknowledged that more challenges lie ahead but emphasized the importance of savoring this hard-fought victory.

OSU's win came without senior forward Jamison Battle, who sat out due to an ankle injury. Freshman Scotty Middleton stepped up in his absence, contributing to the team's success.

The Buckeyes received outstanding performances from their players, with Royal achieving a career-high 14 points off the bench while Gayle recorded 12 points and eight rebounds. Thornton contributed with 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while center Felix Okpara added 10 points and six rebounds.

In contrast, Michigan State's Malik Hall led his team with 15 points, while Walker contributed 12 points. Despite their efforts, the Spartans could not prevent the narrow defeat on their home court.

With this win, OSU improved its road record to 1-8 this season. Meanwhile, Michigan State dropped to 13-4 at home, having also lost to James Madison, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

The victory further solidified Ohio State's rich history against Michigan State, narrowing the all-time series gap to 61-75 in favor of the Spartans. Coach Izzo, now 35-20 all-time against OSU, expressed his disappointment while acknowledging the Buckeyes' deserving win.

This triumph marks OSU interim head coach Jake Diebler's third game at the helm, following an upset victory against then-No. 2 Purdue and a loss against Minnesota.

Ohio State will look to build on their momentum as they return home to host Nebraska on Thursday, aiming to avenge their previous 83-69 loss to the Huskers.