Ohio State vs Iowa: NCAA Tournament Game Recap – March 12, 2026 | ESPN

Bruce Thornton scored 24 points as the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 72-69 in the third round of the Huge Ten Tournament on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago.

The Buckeyes, the No. 8 seed in the tournament, advanced to play top-seeded Michigan in the quarterfinals on Friday. Iowa, seeded ninth, finished the season with a 21-12 record.

Ohio State built a 51-35 lead early in the second half, fueled by a personal 10-0 run from Thornton. Iowa responded with a 10-1 run of their own, cutting the deficit to six points. The Hawkeyes continued to battle, trimming the lead to a single point, 70-69, with 38.7 seconds remaining.

Ohio State worked the clock down, but Thornton’s shot attempt rolled off the rim. Amare Bynum’s putback attempt was also unsuccessful, but the Buckeyes secured the rebound. John Mobley Jr. Was then fouled and made two free throws, extending the lead to three points with eight seconds left.

Iowa had one final opportunity, but Brendan Hausen’s three-point attempt with four seconds remaining missed. After Ohio State missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw, Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras missed a free throw in the closing seconds. Isaia Howard secured the rebound, but his shot from the three-point arc hit off the back of the rim as time expired.

Bennett Stirtz led Iowa with 17 points. The Hawkeyes shot 45.5 percent from the field in the first half, but were outscored 22-8 in the paint during that period. Ohio State shot 55% from the field overall.

According to ESPN Analytics, Ohio State led for 61% of the game, with a largest lead of 16 points. Iowa had 10 turnovers to Ohio State’s 9. The Buckeyes secured 37 rebounds compared to Iowa’s 24.

The game was officiated by Brian Dorsey, Jeffrey Anderson, and Andy O’Brien.