Devin Royal Shines as Ohio State Overpowers Valparaiso in Basketball

On Tuesday night at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, the Ohio State Buckeyes brought their complete game against Valparaiso and emerged convincing victors: 95-73. All credit to the high-flying sophomore forward Devin Royal, who belied a rather complete game of new career highs in scoring and rebounding for a versatile big man.

Career Night for Royal

Royal had a career-best performance, scoring 31 points while shooting an efficient 11-for-16 from the floor with 1-of-4 marks from deep and 8 of 9 from the free throw line. He also proved his worth in rebounding, collecting a career-high 15 boards. It makes him the first Buckeye since Jared Sullinger in 2011 to register a 30-point, 15-rebound game and showcases his blossoming impact on the team's fortunes.

Team Work

While Royal was the star of the night, he was by no means alone as the Buckeyes won. Evan Mahaffey came off the bench and provided a huge boost with 15 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting night, while Bruce Thornton and Micah Parrish added 14 each in a well-rounded effort from the Ohio State bench. The depth was strong in this one for Ohio State - even without Meechie Johnson, who did not play due to a personal leave of absence.

Game Flow

The game tipped the scales early in favor of Ohio State in the first half, as a three from John Mobley Jr. tipped off a run that gave the Buckeyes the lead for good. Royal was huge in contributing to extending Ohio State's lead to big free throws and tough hustle plays. At intermission, Ohio State was in a comfortable 41-30 lead that it would ride out during the second half to never allow Valparaiso within striking distance.

Looking Ahead

This win launches Ohio State into a confident matchup against No. 4 Kentucky on Saturday and gives Royal and his teammates a good foundation on which to build that momentum. The Buckeyes, with a real good record now, could capitalize on the home-court advantage in games to come. It was indicative not just of Royal's growing talent but also of the depth that the team could use throughout the season.

Devin Royal highlights from Ohio State's win vs. Valparaiso | Big Ten on NBC

Royal's emergence as a key player for Ohio State comes at a crucial time. The ability to step up in big games, like this one against Valparaiso, speaks volumes of his development from promising freshman to pivotal figure in the Buckeyes lineup. His performance against Valpo was a clear signal to opponents that Ohio State has a force to reckon with in the frontcourt.

In all, Devin Royal's career night was the bright spot in an otherwise team-oriented display from the Ohio State Buckeyes. His leadership on the court and his ability to dominate both offensively and defensively were the main reasons that such a convincing win could be secured and set the standard high for the rest of the season.