Evan Mahaffey fuels Ohio State past Penn State

Field Level Media|published: Sat 20th January, 14:14 2024

Jan 20, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Evan Mahaffey (12) shoots around Penn State Nittany Lions guard Nick Kern Jr. (3) during the NCAA men s basketball game at Value City Arena. credits: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Evan Mahaffey scored a career-high 16 points against his former team and Ohio State used a quick start to end a three-game losing streak with a 79-67 win against Penn State on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

Mahaffey, a sophomore guard from Cincinnati, bettered his previous best of 12 points playing for the Nittany Lions (9-10, 3-5 Big Ten) last season.

Roddy Gayle Jr. also scored 16, Jamison Battle had 11 and Zed Key scored 10 for the Buckeyes (13-5, 3-4).

Ohio State leading scorer Bruce Thornton (16.8) was held to three points.

Kanye Clary and Puff Johnson each scored 13 points and Nick Kern added 12 for the Nittany Lions.

The Buckeyes took an early 16-point lead in the rematch of the clash on Dec. 9, when Penn State overcame an 18-point, second-half deficit for an 83-80 win.

There would be no comeback this time, although the Nittany Lions tried. They trailed 66-43 with eight minutes to play but pulled to within nine, 76-67, with 55 seconds left before Dale Bonner made three free throws to close out the game.

A 33-19 halftime lead for the Buckeyes could have been even larger after a blistering start. Ohio State raced to a 16-0 led in the first seven minutes with Gayle scoring six of the first eight.

The lead crested on a Felix Okpara dunk off the assist by Thornton. Penn State finally got on the board when Jameel Brown drained a 3-pointer. From there, the Nittany Lions slowly pulled themselves within 29-19 with two minutes left before buckets by Battle and Gayle provided the 14-point advantage heading to the locker room.

The Buckeyes could not shake their long-range woes in the first half, missing all eight 3-pointers after going 3 for 25 in their previous game against Michigan.

Battle ended the drought on the Buckeyes' 12th attempt with 14:24 to play. They finished 3 for 18 (16.7 percent) but scored 40 points in the paint.

Ohio State freshman guard Scotty Middleton was suspended for the game due to a violation of team rules. He averages 4.7 point in 16.8 minutes.

—Field Level Media

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