NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ohio State led for the majority of the game but dropped a 70-66 game to No. 15 Virginia on Valentine’s Day inside Bridgestone Arena.
Here are three quick takes from the loss"
Feb 14, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) drives to the basket past Virginia Cavaliers guard Dallin Hall (30) during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesClose but not close enough has become the theme
Once again, Ohio State played a game that would have put it firmly on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble with a win. On a neutral court in front of a spirited crowd of 6,438, the Buckeyes jumped out to an 11-point lead early, held the lead for 23:41 and only trailed for 11:35.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut they scored only seven points in the final 10 minutes of the game, five of which came in the final minute, as Virginia did just enough to distance itself from the upset challenge.
Add this to the pile of good-but-not-good-enough performances that includes a one-point loss to North Carolina and a three-point loss to Nebraska that combine for an eight-point differential that is keeping Ohio State out of the NCAA Tournament for now.
Feb 14, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Taison Chatman (3) dribbles the ball past Virginia Cavaliers guard Malik Thomas (1) during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesOhio State's Bruce Thornton needed more help
Without John Mobley Jr. to pair with in the backcourt as he recovers from surgery on his right hand, senior guard Bruce Thornton carried the Buckeyes for most of the game. He had 10 first-point points, tied with Amare Bynum for the team lead, but then put on a show to start the second half. Thornton scored 18 points after halftime, single-handedly keeping Ohio State in it until he ran out of answers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNobody else seemed to have any, either. Bynum had 5 in the second half and Christoph Tilly finished with 11 points on 12 shots, meaning those three combined for 54 of Ohio State’s 66 points.
It wasn’t enough, and it wasted what could’ve been an all-time effort from Thornton trying to will this team into the tournament.
Feb 14, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Virginia Cavaliers center Ugonna Onyenso (33) blocks the shot of Ohio State Buckeyes forward Devin Royal (21) during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesPoor rebounding crippled Ohio State in the first half
The Buckeyes jumped out to a 17-6 lead roughly six minutes into the game, but Virginia countered thanks to a monopoly on the glass. From 10:53 until 2:58 of the first half, Ohio State grabbed zero rebounds while the Cavaliers pulled down nine straight. In the process, Virginia turned a 19-17 Ohio State lead into a 36-31 advantage from the Cavaliers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Buckeyes were able to finally get to the glass again, eventually, and doing so allowed them to pull even with the Cavaliers at the half 37-37.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State vs. Virginia basketball: 3 quick takeaways from Buckeyes' loss
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