In a stunning upset, Ohio State's basketball team defeated the No. 2 ranked Purdue with a score of 73-69 at Value City Arena on Sunday. The Buckeyes, now with a 15-11 record, were led by standout performances from Bruce Thornton, who scored 22 points, and Jamison Battle, who contributed 19 points, all in the second half. This victory marks Ohio State's first win against a Top-2 conference team since 2018.

The game, the first under interim head coach Jake Diebler following the firing of former head coach Chris Holtmann, saw the Buckeyes overcoming early challenges to secure a double-digit lead with crucial support from Zed Key and Dale Bonner. Key impressed with a career-high five steals and helped Ohio State capitalize on turnovers, scoring 22 points off them.

Purdue, standing at a 23-3 record, faced a resilient Ohio State team that pushed back from an early 12-8 deficit to take control of the game with a dominant 14-2 run to close the first half, sending the home crowd into a roaring frenzy. Despite Purdue's efforts, including a strong performance by Zach Edey with 22 points, Ohio State maintained their lead, with Bonner's late three-pointer sealing the victory.

The game showcased a new lineup experiment by Ohio State, featuring a predominantly freshman lineup that shined in critical moments. The Buckeyes will look to carry this momentum forward as they aim to break their 16-game road losing streak in their upcoming game against Minnesota on Thursday at 8 p.m., with BTN broadcasting the game.

The game against Purdue attracted a season-high attendance of 18,353 fans, as waves of catharsis swept through the players and the court was stormed by jubilant supporters. Ohio State's resounding victory against a highly ranked opponent serves as a statement of their potential as they continue to navigate the challenges of the season.