Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Cincinnati Rallies Past Ohio State in Outdoor Exhibition
Ohio State played Cincinnati in an outdoor basketball exhibition in Mason, Ohio.
Ohio State was ahead at halftime and still led by seven points late in the game.
But Cincinnati played much better after halftime and won 79-68.
Wind and bright sunlight made shooting difficult for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes made only four of their 23 three-point shots.
Cincinnati also scored more points near the basket and grabbed more rebounds.
John Mobley Jr was Ohio State’s top scorer with 15 points.
Coach Jake Diebler said the game helped him see what the team needs to work on before November.
Cincinnati defeated Ohio State 79-68 Wednesday at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
Ohio State led 35-30 at halftime and 56-49 with about 10 minutes remaining before Cincinnati finished with a 49-33 second half.
Ohio State shot 4-for-23 from three-point range and made 20 of 36 free throws; coach Jake Diebler cited wind and glare.
John Mobley Jr led Ohio State with 15 points and four assists, while Amare Bynum had nine points and seven rebounds.
Cincinnati outscored Ohio State 48-32 in the paint and outrebounded it 45-35; Tylen Riley scored 23.
- Who
- The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bearcats; Ohio State coach Jake Diebler and Cincinnati coach Jerrod Calhoun.
- What
- Cincinnati beat Ohio State 79-68 in an outdoor exhibition basketball game.
- When
- Wednesday, with a 3 p.m. tip-off; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
- Why
- The game gave Ohio State an early public look at its team and helped coach Jake Diebler assess players and areas for improvement.
Ohio State’s explanation and focus
Evidence of Cincinnati’s advantage
Ohio State’s shooting
Ohio State’s explanation and focus
Jake Diebler said wind and glare affected the outdoor game, and that the team created open shots it normally makes in practice.
Evidence of Cincinnati’s advantage
Ohio State finished 4-for-23 from three and made only 20 of 36 free throws.
What the result revealed
Ohio State’s explanation and focus
Diebler viewed the game as a chance to test combinations and learn from the second half before November.
Evidence of Cincinnati’s advantage
Cincinnati’s 48-32 advantage in the paint and 45-35 rebounding edge pointed to areas Ohio State must address beyond perimeter shooting.
- Final score
- Cincinnati 79, Ohio State 68
- Halftime score
- Ohio State led 35-30
- Late-game lead
- Ohio State led 56-49 with about 10 minutes remaining
- Ohio State three-point shooting
- 4-for-23 (17.4%)
- Ohio State free throws
- 20-for-36
- Rebounds
- Cincinnati 45, Ohio State 35
- Leading scorers
- John Mobley Jr had 15 for Ohio State; Tylen Riley had 23 for Cincinnati