COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State rebounded from a loss to Michigan State with a 72-63 win over Iowa behind 16 points and seven rebounds from Deshaun Thomas.
The No. 14/15 Buckeyes (14-4, 4-2) ended the first half on a 13-4 run and maintained the momentum into the second half with a 17-7 run, extending their lead to 24 points.
Watching that lead dwindle to just four points with 1:29 left got head coach Thad Matta thinking his team might be in the throes of an identity crisis.
“We have been this way before in terms of searching for an identity. I have been in games like this before, where we have our moments. We are searching for consistence. I’ll take consistency over greatness,“ Matta said.
Lenzelle Smith, Jr., and Aaron Craft added 12 points apiece for Ohio State and Evan Ravenel scored 11 points.
OSU battles Penn State on the road this Saturday.
