Bruce Thornton leads Ohio State to upset victory over No. 4 Kentucky

It was a wonderful evening in the CBS Sports Classic on December 21, 2024. At Madison Square Garden, Bruce Thornton from Ohio State Buckeyes dazzled and outshone the number 4-ranked Kentucky Wildcats, taking them in a victory, 85-65.

Game Overview:

It was a statement game for Ohio State, which walked into this matchup on a really tough stretch that featured consecutive losses to Pittsburgh and Maryland. It was something the Buckeyes knew they were not going to be matched up against, one of the high-powered offenses in college basketball: Kentucky. They wanted to make a statement, and boy, did they ever.

Thornton Shines Bright:

Bruce Thornton was nothing short of sensational. He scored a career-high 30 points, from which 22 came during the second half of the game, showing his cool when it really mattered. He was efficient on the floor, shooting 8-for-13 and nearly perfect from the free-throw line as he made 13 of 14 attempts. As far as other stats – beyond scoring – Thornton contributed with four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in proving his all-around game impact. His performance was huge in keeping Ohio State ahead and preventing Kentucky from mounting a comeback.

Supporting Cast:

Thornton wasn’t a one-man army, though, as John Mobley Jr. went for 15 points while Aaron Bradshaw weighed in with 11, all three key considering Ohio State got production to seal the paint, including an astonishing 56.6% field goal percentage. The Buckeyes dominated inside by outscoring Kentucky 36-to-something, whereas at Kentucky, the Wildcats struggled for a season-worst 29.8% from the field.

Kentucky Struggles:

For Kentucky, it was a whole different story. While Otega Oweh tried with 21 points-most of them coming from the free-throw line-the Wildcats never found their rhythm. Even Lamont Butler, who had been brilliant all game, was held to just four points. A fact that Kentucky did not score well inside, they missed 16 of 23 layups, a telling statistic in defeat.

Turning Points:

Ohio State seized it late in the first half, building a nine-point halftime lead after an 8-0 run. Kentucky rallied in the second half but the spate of Thornton baskets made all the difference to fend them off as the Buckeyes’ physicality and defense seemed to take its toll on Kentucky, never allowing them to get closer than six in the second half.

Implications:

This win for Ohio State is not just a morale booster but also a significant addition to their resume as they look
headed into the postseason. For Thornton, it could be his breakout game, placing him in a position among the leading guards of the Big Ten Conference. This loss for Kentucky, on the other hand, brings them back to a point of reality-a lesson more on how wild college basketball can get anytime there is a bad shooting night against a well-set team.

Conclusion:

The game at Madison Square Garden will be remembered by all, including Bruce Thornton’s performance and Ohio State’s collective effort in taking down one of the top teams in the country. It just showed how resilient this Buckeyes team is and what it is capable of as the season goes on.

This upset will assuredly reverberate across the college basketball landscape concerning rankings, tournament seeding, and the narratives concerning both teams as they make their way deeper into the 2024-2025 season.