Checking the ticker for a Buckeyes score is basically a lifestyle in Columbus. Whether you’re looking for the hoops squad trying to find their footing in a brutal Big Ten or still nursing a New Year's Day hangover from the football team’s CFP exit, the numbers matter.
As of mid-January 2026, the vibe around campus is a mix of high-scoring hardwood fireworks and "what if" football talk. Honestly, if you're asking what's the score for Ohio State, you have to specify the sport, because the women’s basketball team is currently torching everyone in sight, while the men are grinding through a gauntlet of road games.
Recent Results: The Women Are on Fire
Let’s start with the hottest hand in the building. On Wednesday night, January 14, 2026, the No. 14 Ohio State women’s basketball team absolutely dismantled Penn State.
Final score: 108–84.
It wasn't even as close as that 24-point gap suggests. The Buckeyes tied a program record by raining down 17 three-pointers. Jaloni Cambridge, who has been playing like an absolute superstar lately, dropped 33 points. When you see a freshman (well, now a sophomore sensation) taking over like that, it’s hard not to get excited. Elsa Lemmilä was also a force inside, chipping in 21. This win marked their fifth straight victory, moving them to 16–2 overall and 6–1 in the Big Ten.
If you're looking for the winning "score for Ohio State" right now, this is where you'll find the most smiles. They look like a legit Final Four contender.
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The Men’s Hoop Grind: Tough Road in the Big Ten
The men’s side is a bit more of a roller coaster under Jake Diebler. Their last outing on Sunday, January 11, 2026, was a tough pill to swallow out on the West Coast.
Final score: Washington 81, Ohio State 74.
Bruce Thornton did everything he could, pouring in 28 points, but the Buckeyes just couldn't get enough stops late in the game. It’s been a recurring theme. A few days before that, they did manage to snag a solid road win against Oregon (72–62), but the Big Ten is so deep this year that every night feels like a fistfight.
Currently, the men sit at 11–5 overall and 3–3 in conference play. They’re basically a lock for the tournament if they keep hovering around .500 in the Big Ten, but they need to protect home court at Value City Arena. Their next big test is UCLA on January 17, and fans are desperate for a win to stay in the top half of the standings.
Football: The Cotton Bowl Hangover
We have to talk about it. It’s the elephant in the Room.
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The 2025 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (played on January 1, 2026) was supposed to be the start of a title run. Instead, it was a defensive slugfest that left Buckeye Nation stunned.
Final score: Miami (FL) 24, Ohio State 14.
Julian Sayin showed flashes of brilliance, and Jeremiah Smith—man, that kid is a human highlight reel—did his best to keep them in it with a late touchdown. But two interceptions and a sluggish first half were too much to overcome. Finishing 12–2 is an elite season for 99% of programs, but in Columbus, if you aren't lifting a trophy in January, it feels like a letdown.
The defense, led by Davison Igbinosun, actually played well enough to win, holding Miami to relatively low yardage until that final dagger of a touchdown by the Hurricanes with less than a minute left. It was a "what's the score for Ohio State" search that most fans wanted to delete from their history.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Scores
People tend to look at a final score and think they know the whole story. With this 2025-2026 Ohio State cycle, the "score" doesn't show the injuries or the youth movement.
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Take the men's basketball loss to Nebraska on January 5 (72–69). On paper, it's a home loss. In reality, it was a game where the Buckeyes led for 30 minutes and just went cold at the wrong time. This team is much better than their record looks, but in the Big Ten, "almost" doesn't get you a higher seed in March.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to stay on top of things, don't just rely on a quick search. The schedule is moving fast.
- Watch the Women's Team: If you want high-energy, high-scoring basketball, they play TCU next on January 19. It's going to be a battle of ranked teams.
- Monitor the Men’s Bubble Status: With a 3–3 conference record, the upcoming home games against UCLA and Minnesota are "must-wins" to avoid falling into the First Four conversation.
- Football Recruiting: Since the season is over, the "score" is now measured in five-star commits. Keep an eye on the transfer portal as the Buckeyes look to reload the offensive line for the 2026 season.
The best way to keep track of the live score for Ohio State during game days is the official Ohio State Buckeyes app or following the specific team Twitter (X) accounts, which are usually faster than the major sports networks for play-by-play updates.
To stay fully updated, mark your calendars for the upcoming UCLA matchup on Saturday. It’s an afternoon tip-off at 1:00 PM, and it will be the primary focus for anyone following Buckeye athletics this weekend. If they can split these next four games, they remain in a strong position for a postseason run.