Bruce Thornton waited four years to have his moment on college basketball's biggest stage and, unfortunately, things just didn't work out for the senior.
Thornton's first and last trip to the big dance ended in a little over two hours with a 66-64 loss to TCU. The Buckeyes all-time leading scorer didn't have the touch. He was just 3-of-9 from the floor (2-of-5 on 3-pointers) and in a two-point loss, you can look at so many opportunities where those points could've been found. Thronton did have the ball on the final possession of the game, but it was a rushed and disjointed play that forced him to throw up a prayer that wasn't answered.
The final play of Ohio State's season and Bruce Thornton's career.
— Views From The Schott Podcast (@TheSchottPod) March 19, 2026
With four seconds left, you have to get a better look than this.pic.twitter.com/UaY7g3ZZ6l
Bruce Thornton struggles in Buckeyes' tournament loss
As disappointing as Thursday's result ws for Thornton and as much as the Buckeye faithful wanted to see him get more out of his tournament experience, he doesn't want anyone to feel sad for him. In one of his roughest moments as a Buckeye, Thornton handled the moment with the class and perspective that we've come to expect.
"I'm so appreciative for everything that's happened in my life. It's not the way I wanted it to end, but that's just how it is sometimes," Thornton said in the locker room after the game.
For a minute it looked like things were going to turn out differently for Thornton. He hit his biggest shot of the game, a 3-pointer that pulled Ohio State into a 64-64 tie with 34 seconds remaining.
Bruce Thornton hits a HUGE Contested 3 and we’re tied in #8 Ohio State vs #9 TCU
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 19, 2026
pic.twitter.com/ooi7dF4wAr
Thornton wasn't the only player that struggled from the floor against a TCU defense that routinely makes opposing players uncomfortable. John Mobley Jr., had a team-high 15 points, but he was 6-of-17 and 3-of-11 on 3-pointers.
Despite being down by double digits for much of the first half, the Buckeyes pushed back and took the lead a few times in the second half. But they could never get enough distance to put the game away.
"This team was going to fight regardless, but it didn't go our way and that's alright. In life, sometimes stuff doesn't go your way," Thornton added. "As long as you appreciate your teammates, coaching staff and Buckeye Nation for sticking with us for four years."