If you’re checking your phone or refreshing your feed to find out what is the score of the buckeyes game, the wait is over. The Ohio State men’s basketball team just wrapped up a massive afternoon at the Schottenstein Center, walking away with an 86-74 victory over the UCLA Bruins.
Honestly, it wasn't even as close as that 12-point margin looks on paper.
Columbus was buzzing today. You could feel it. Facing a legacy program like UCLA in a Big Ten matchup—yeah, that still feels a little weird to say—the Buckeyes needed a statement win to steady the ship. They’re now 12-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference.
Breakdown: What is the score of the buckeyes game and how it happened
The final tally sat at Ohio State 86, UCLA 74.
John Mobley Jr. was absolutely unconscious. The freshman from Reynoldsburg didn't just play; he took over the gym. He finished with a career-high 28 points. At one point in the second half, he buried a 28-foot triple that basically deflated the UCLA bench. He went 6-of-12 from deep. When a kid is hitting from the logo like that, there’s not much a defense can do besides pray.
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UCLA hung around for a bit in the first half. They actually led by six at one point. But the Buckeyes closed the opening frame on a 12-6 run to go up 42-36 at the break.
The second half? Total dominance.
Key Performers for Ohio State
- John Mobley Jr.: 28 points, 6 threes, 0 turnovers. Just clinical.
- Devin Royal: 22 points and 9 rebounds. He was a force in the paint.
- Bruce Thornton: 21 points and 8 boards. The veteran leader did veteran leader things.
UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau tried his best to play spoiler. He put up 30 points, which is a monster stat line, but he was essentially a one-man army. The Bruins shot 40% from the field, while Ohio State was red hot at 52.8%.
More than just basketball scores
While the hoops game is the headline, the Buckeyes have been busy across the board today, January 17, 2026. If you were looking for other scores, here is the quick rundown:
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Women’s Ice Hockey
The No. 2 ranked Buckeyes traveled to Mankato and handled Minnesota State with a 4-1 win. They swept the weekend series and looked every bit like a national title contender. Joy Dunne and Hilda Svensson were among the goal scorers.
Men’s Swimming and Diving
Over at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion, the No. 16 Buckeyes took down No. 11 Michigan, 167-133. Beating the Wolverines in anything always tastes a little sweeter for the folks in Columbus.
Women's Basketball (The Other Buckeyes)
Just for clarity, if you saw a 66-62 score floating around, that was the Ohio University Bobcats beating Northern Illinois. Different school, different "Buckeye" state team. Our Ohio State women’s team didn't have a game on the slate for today.
What's next for Ohio State?
Now that you know what is the score of the buckeyes game, you’re probably wondering where they go from here. The men’s basketball team stays in Columbus to host Minnesota this Tuesday, January 20. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on BTN.
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UCLA has to fly back and get ready for a brutal matchup against No. 5 Purdue. Life in the Big Ten is officially a gauntlet.
For the Buckeyes, today was about proving they belong in the top tier of the conference. They outrebounded UCLA 37-27 and went 21-of-25 from the free-throw line. That's winning basketball. If Mobley Jr. keeps shooting like this, February is going to be a very fun month for fans in scarlet and gray.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Standings: Ohio State moves to 4-3 in the Big Ten. Keep an eye on the Tuesday night results to see how the middle of the pack shifts.
- Watch the Replay: If you missed Mobley's 28-foot heater, find the highlight on the Big Ten Network’s social media or the official Ohio State Athletics YouTube channel.
- Ticket Check: If you're local, tickets for the Minnesota game on Tuesday are still hovering around $25 for upper-level seats—well worth it to see this offense in person.