BREAKING: Indiana Barely Escapes Disaster vs Ohio State on Senior Day—Desperately Clings to NCAA Hopes in Wild Finish That Shouldn’t Have Been This Close

**BREAKING: Indiana Barely Escapes Disaster vs Ohio State on Senior Day—Desperately Clings to NCAA Hopes in Wild Finish That Shouldn’t Have Been This Close**

 

In a game that was supposed to be a celebration, Indiana nearly turned Senior Day into a total embarrassment.

 

The Hoosiers clawed their way to a nail-biting 65-62 win over a struggling Ohio State team that came to Bloomington with nothing to lose. It was a win—technically—but let’s not pretend this was pretty. On a day meant to honor veterans like Xavier Johnson and Anthony Leal, Indiana looked more like a team begging for mercy than one fighting for its postseason life.

 

The win likely locks the Hoosiers into the NCAA Tournament, but if this game was supposed to reassure fans or selection committee members, it missed the mark. Indiana allowed an Ohio State team that’s been inconsistent all season to hang around until the very last possession. Questionable decisions, sloppy turnovers, and a complete inability to pull away made this game far more stressful than it ever needed to be.

 

Still, credit where it’s due—Kel’el Ware once again proved why he’s Indiana’s heartbeat, dropping 23 points and snagging key rebounds down the stretch. Malik Reneau added support, but overall, the offensive rhythm was choppy at best.

 

Fans at Assembly Hall brought the energy, but even they looked shocked at how close this one got. When the final buzzer sounded, the relief in the building was louder than the celebration.

 

Let’s be real: if this was a “tournament-worthy” performance, then the bar is in hell. But for now, Indiana survives. And with March Madness looming, “survive” is the only word that matters.

 

So yes—Indiana probably punched its ticket. But if they play like this in the tournament, that ticket might as well be a one-way pass to an early exit.