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John Mobley Jr. scores 25 to lead Ohio State over Penn State 84-78

John Mobley Jr. scores 25 to lead Ohio State over Penn State 84-78 | iNFOnews.ca
Penn State forward Ivan Juric, right, looks to shoot in front of Ohio State center Ivan Njegovan, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — John Mobley Jr. scored 25 points to help Ohio State hold off Penn State 84-78 on Monday night.

Mobley made 7 of 14 shots with five 3-pointers and all six of his free throws for the Buckeyes (14-6, 6-4 Big Ten Conference). He added five assists and three steals to help Ohio State prevail after blowing almost all of a 50-32 halftime lead.

Amare Bynum added 15 points, five rebounds and three steals for the Buckeyes. Devin Royal had 14 points and sophomore reserve Taison Chatman scored a career-high 11. Bruce Thornton finished with nine points and needs two more to pass Michael Redd (1,879 from 1997-2000) for sixth place on OSU’s all-time list.

Sophomore Ivan Njegovan made his first career start for the Buckeyes, replacing injured Christoph Tilly. The 7-foot-1 sophomore scored all eight of his points in the second half, adding three rebounds and two blocked shots before fouling out.

Eli Rice hit six 3-pointers and scored 20 to lead the Nittany Lions (9-11, 0-9), who have lost seven straight. Ivan Juric totaled 14 points and 14 rebounds. Josh Reed and reserve Melih Tunca both scored 13.

Chatman and Mobley sank 3-pointers to end a game-opening 22-11 run by Ohio State and turned it into an 18-point lead at halftime.

Rice sank three 3-pointers in a 22-8 run to cut it to 58-54 in the first eight minutes. Josh Reed had a three-point play to make it 60-59 three minutes later, but Mobley answered with two free free throws and a 3-pointer and Ohio State stayed in front from there.

Up next

Penn State: At Northwestern on Thursday.

Ohio State: At Wisconsin on Saturday.

___

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John Mobley Jr. scores 25 to lead Ohio State over Penn State 84-78 | iNFOnews.ca
Ohio State guard John Mobley, left, drives in front of Penn State guard Kayden Mingo (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
John Mobley Jr. scores 25 to lead Ohio State over Penn State 84-78 | iNFOnews.ca
Penn State guard Eli Rice (11) looks to shoot in front of Ohio State guard Taison Chatman (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
John Mobley Jr. scores 25 to lead Ohio State over Penn State 84-78 | iNFOnews.ca
Ohio State guard Taison Chatman, left, shoots in front of Penn State guard Kayden Mingo, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
John Mobley Jr. scores 25 to lead Ohio State over Penn State 84-78 | iNFOnews.ca
Ohio State forward Devin Royal, right, looks to pass the ball in front of Penn State forward Josh Reed (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

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