The Nittany Lions fell in their third straight game, 83-64, to the Buckeyes. Penn State went into the half with a 10-point deficit and climbed within six in the first couple of minutes of the second period, but ultimately never led after the game was 4-2 just two minutes into the night.

Penn State coach Mike Rhoades’ squad will get an opportunity to rejuvenate its fan base Thursday night when it returns to Rec Hall against Ohio State. But in reality, a repetitive lack of late-game execution is starting to put any of the Nittany Lions’ NCAA Tournament hopes to rest.

John Mobley Jr. scored 19 points and Bruce Thornton had 11 of his 17 points in the second half as Ohio State routed Penn State 83-64 on Thursday in State College, Penn.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Freshman John Mobley Jr. had 19 points, Bruce Thornton scored 17 and Ohio State cruised to an 83-64 victory over Penn State at Rec Hall on Thursday night.

John Mobley Jr. led a quartet of double-digit scorers with 19 points as Ohio State (13-8, 5-5) defeated Penn State (13-9, 3-8) in its return to Rec Hall, 83-64. Bruce Thornton scored 17 points (5-for-7 from 3) while Devin Royal (15 points and eight rebounds) and Micah Parrish (12 points) combined for 27 in the win.