Can Ohio State's Dominant Paint Performance Seal Victory at Xfinity Center?
The Ohio State Buckeyes, ranked 18th, secured a commanding victory over the Maryland Terrapins with a final score of 84-76. The Buckeyes now stand with an impressive record, while the Terrapins' record remains unranked. The game unfolded at the Xfinity Center in College Park, where both teams fought hard through each quarter.
The Buckeyes showcased their dominance inside the paint with an outstanding 52 points in that area. Their offensive efforts were bolstered by sinking 26 out of 39 two-point attempts, translating to a remarkable 67 percent shooting from this range. The team's overall field goal percentage stood at a solid 46 percent as they made good use of their total 65 field goal attempts.
Defensively, Ohio State was just as formidable; they amassed a total of five blocks and matched that number in steals. Their rebounding was particularly effective as they gathered an impressive total of 42 rebounds—22 defensive and an additional offensive haul of 16 rebounds which contributed to their second-chance points tallying up to 15.
On the other hand, despite their best efforts and leading fast break points with a count of 17 compared to Ohio State's eight, Maryland fell short in key areas. They managed only four blocks against Ohio State’s aggressive offense and committed more personal fouls than their opponents—23 for Maryland versus Ohio State's more disciplined count of eighteen.
Ohio State also excelled at drawing fouls and capitalizing on free throws; they attempted thirty free throws throughout the game and successfully made twenty. This performance from the charity stripe played no small part in cementing their lead over Maryland.
The Terrapins did have moments where they shone through—their three-point shooting percentage was nearly double that of Ohio State’s at approximately twenty-seven percent—but it wasn't enough to overcome the comprehensive play from the visitors.
As for individual performances worthy of note: one cannot overlook how well-rounded Ohio State played as a unit given their seventeen assists which reflect on how effectively they shared the ball amongst themselves during this contest.
Looking ahead for fans eager to support their team: The next challenge facing The Ohio State Buckeyes will be against Iowa Hawkeyes on January twenty-first at eleven o'clock AM Eastern Time. This encounter is set to take place within home territory at Value City Arena located in Columbus, OH – ensuring home-court advantage could play into The Buckeyes’ hands once again. Fans can catch all live action broadcast nationally on NBC or stream it via Peacock online platform.