Ohio State Buckeyes Men's Basketball Sweeps Emerald Coast Classic Tournament

The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 17 Alabama Crimson Tide and Santa Clara Broncos on their way to winning the hoisting the hardware in Niceville, Florida.

The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team won the 2023 Emerald Coast Classic on Sunday, defeating the Santa Clara Broncos, 86-56.

This was the Buckeyes' first, multi-team tournament title in 11 years, going back to when the team beat the Rhode Island Rams and Washington Huskies on their way to winning the 2012 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off. Ohio State also became the first team ever from the Big Ten to win the Emerald Coast Classic.

Fifth-year forward Jamison Battle set a career-high in the game on Sunday with 21 points. The offseason transfer from Minnesota shot 50 percent from beyond the arc, burying a season-high five three-point buckets on ten tries.

Speaking of career-high performances, sophomore guard Bruce Thornton recorded seven assists, the most he's ever dished out in a single game while at Ohio State. The Buckeyes team captain also scored 13 points against Santa Clara, making Sunday the fifth game out of the six this year in which Thornton has finished with a double-digit scoring total.

Thornton was named the most valuable player of the tournament, having been responsible for 42 points, 11 assists, and four steals over Ohio State's two games. 

Sophomore guard Bowen Hardman saw the floor on Sunday and recorded his first three-point bucket of the season. Senior guard Dale Bonner finished with 11 points against the Broncos and made five three-pointers over the pair of tournament games.

Ohio State men's basketball is back in action at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, November 29. The Buckeyes will host the Central Michigan Chippewas at 7 p.m., with live coverage airing on Big Ten Network.