Ohio State Can't Trim Deficit, Fall to Michigan for 4th-Straight Loss

The losing streak trudged on to four games for the Ohio State Buckeyes Sunday, as they lost to the Michigan Wolverines at the Crisler Center for the first time since 2019.

Author:
Casey Smith
Feb 5, 2023 3:20 PM EST

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Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes were within striking distance ... until they weren't

Despite a career-high 22 points from guard Bruce Thornton, the Buckeyes (11-12, 3-9 Big Ten) could never quite close the gap despite multiple comeback attempts, as they dropped their fourth consecutive game in a 77-69 loss to the Michigan Wolverines Sunday at the Crisler Center.

The Wolverines (13-10, 7-5 Big Ten) played through center Hunter Dickinson the entire game, as he used all of his 7-1, 260-pound frame to power the Wolverines’ offensive attack with 26 points on 10 of 15 shooting and 11 rebounds — his seventh double-double of the season.

Forward Brice Sensabaugh drained a contested 3-pointer with 14:04 to go in the second half to trim the Buckeyes’ deficit to 50-47, but this was the last time Ohio State found itself within one possession for the rest of the afternoon. Sensabaugh finished with 14 points for the game.

Other than three free throws from guard Roddy Gayle Jr. Michigan made each of the next five field goal attempts across the next 4:17 to widen the gap to 11 points — a margin the Buckeyes couldn’t overcome.

Ohio State’s first-half shooting struggles continued, making just five of its first 19 shots from the floor in the initial 12 minutes of play. The Buckeyes rallied, converting on 43.8 percent of their shots in the final 7:26 of the first half.

A 12-3 Wolverines run through the middle stages of the first half lengthened their lead to 10, where it sat for the majority of the first half.

However, a 10-2 Buckeyes run in a 2:57 span trimmed the deficit to 36-33, as Thornton shined in that stretch.

The Alpharetta, GA. native made each of his final five shot attempts of the first half, leading Ohio State with 11 points at halftime, but the Buckeyes still trailed 41-36 at the break.

Both the Buckeyes and Wolverines had a trio in double figures.

In addition to Thornton's 22 and Sensabaugh's 14, forward Justice Sueing added 14 on 5 of 12 shooting.

Guards Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard added 13 and 16 points, respectively, to Dickinson's game-high 26.

Ohio State is back on the floor Thursday against Northwestern at Value City Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. on FS1.