Mobley Jr.

UNIVERSITY PARK — Coming off an upset win over Iowa this past weekend, the Penn State men’s basketball team struggled mightily Wednesday night at home, falling behind by 24 points at halftime en route to a 94-62 Big Ten loss to Ohio State.

Earlier this season, Penn State (12-17) lost by six points on the road to the Buckeyes (18-11).

Ohio State, which was 16-for-23 from the 3-point line, got 28 points from John Mobley Jr., including an 8-for-9 showing from behind the arc. Teammate Bruce Thornton added 18 points.

The Nittany Lions, who played without star freshman Kayden Mingo, was 17-for-44 from the field. The Big Ten availability report released three hours before game time simply listed Mingo as “out.” He left the Iowa game late in the fourth quarter after being fouled in the head area. He did not return in that game.

Penn State got 15 points each from Freddie Dilione V and Ivan Juric. Teammate Dominic Stewart added 11 points. Josh Reid was held to just three points after scoring a season-high 25 points in the win over Iowa.

Penn State closes out the regular season Saturday at Rutgers.

The Big Ten Tournament begins next Tuesday, March 10, in Indianapolis and all 18 teams will compete in the event. Penn State is part of the bottom of four, along with Oregon, Maryland and Northwestern. The first-night pairings will be determined among those four schools following the completion of the regular season this weekend.

OHIO STATE (18-11): Bynum 6-7 1-2 14, Royal 5-11 3-5 14, Tilly 4-6 1-2 10, Mobley 9-12 2-2 28, Thornton 7-8 2-2 18, Chatman 2-5 0-0 6, Cupps 0-1 0-0 0, Njegovan 0-0 1-2 1, White 1-1 0-0 3, Nash 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-51 10-15 94.

PENN STATE (12-17): Juric 4-5 6-7 15, Reed 1-5 1-2 3, Dilione 5-11 2-2 15, Rice 0-6 0-0 0, Stewart 3-7 3-3 11, Tunca 1-5 7-8 9, Blackwood 2-2 0-0 5, Houser 1-3 1-2 4, Ciani 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-44 20-24 62.

Halftime–Ohio State 45-21. 3-Point Goals–Ohio State 16-23 (Mobley 8-9, Thornton 2-2, Chatman 2-4, Tilly 1-1, White 1-1, Bynum 1-2, Royal 1-3, Cupps 0-1), Penn State 8-19 (Dilione 3-5, Stewart 2-4, Blackwood 1-1, Houser 1-2, Juric 1-2, Reed 0-1, Rice 0-2, Tunca 0-2). Fouled Out–Njegovan. Rebounds–Ohio State 33 (Royal 9), Penn State 12 (Blackwood 3). Assists–Ohio State 22 (Thornton 5), Penn State 11 (Stewart 4). Total Fouls–Ohio State 18, Penn State 14.