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Minnesota Golden Gophers Fall Short in Overtime Battle Against Ohio State Buckeyes

The Minnesota Golden Gophers faced a challenging encounter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena, resulting in a narrow 82-74 defeat. This outcome leaves the Gophers with a record of 0-1, while the Buckeyes improve to 1-0.


Jan 20, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA;  Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Bobby Durkin (3) drives to the basket as Ohio State Buckeyes center Christoph Tilly (13) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

First Half


The first half saw both teams exchanging leads multiple times. The Golden Gophers managed to keep pace with Ohio State, ending the half trailing by only 3 points with a scoreline of 31-28. Cade Tyson was instrumental during this period, contributing significantly to Minny's offensive efforts.


Second Half


In the second half, Minnesota continued their competitive play. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson emerged as a key player for Minny, showcasing his scoring ability and defensive prowess. Despite their efforts, the Gophers were unable to maintain their momentum against an aggressive Buckeye Nation offense that extended its lead.


Jan 20, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA;  Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) takes the court before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Overtime


The game reached its climax in overtime after both teams ended regulation tied at 67 each. The Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Ohio State Buckeyes turning point came when Ohio State capitalized on crucial turnovers by Minny and outscored them by eight points in overtime.


Post-game Analysis


Reflecting on this intense matchup, post-game thoughts Minnesota Golden Gophers highlight areas for improvement such as reducing turnovers and enhancing defensive rebounds. The Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Ohio State Buckeyes match summary underscores how pivotal moments defined this contest's outcome.


Jan 20, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA;  Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Langston Reynolds (6) shoots the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes forward Devin Royal (21) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Looking ahead, fans can catch the next game featuring Minny against Nebraska Cornhuskers on January 24th at Williams Arena in Minneapolis at noon Eastern Time on Fox Sports 1. Share your thoughts and insights about this game!

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