Buckeyes Start Jake Diebler Era with Upset Victory Over 19th-Ranked Texas

Ohio State Men's Basketball Earns Impressive Opening Night Triumph

In a highly anticipated season opener, Ohio State Men's Basketball notched a resounding win against 19th-ranked Texas, securing an 80-72 victory at the Schottenstein Center on Monday night.

With coach Jake Diebler at the helm for his first game, the Buckeyes displayed resilience, grit, and exceptional shooting from deep. They connected on 13 three-pointers, with Seth Towns and Tanner Holden leading the charge with four threes apiece.

Towns, a transfer from Harvard, emerged as a key contributor, amassing 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Holden, a sophomore guard, added 15 points, while Zed Key anchored the paint with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Texas Falters in Second Half

After a competitive first half that saw both teams trade baskets, Ohio State pulled away in the second half with a 47-33 scoring advantage. The Longhorns, led by Timmy Allen's 19 points, struggled to find their rhythm down the stretch.

The Buckeyes' smothering defense forced Texas into 20 turnovers, converting those mistakes into 20 points. They also dominated the rebounding battle, outrebounding the Longhorns 43-32.

With this impressive victory, Diebler's era at Ohio State gets off to a promising start. The Buckeyes will look to continue their momentum when they host Charleston Southern on Friday at the Schottenstein Center.