Ohio State erases 17-point deficit, knocks off No. 18 Maryland

The Terps were winners of four straight headed into Thursday's game, including ranked wins at Illinois and at home against Wisconsin.

Maryland led by 11 points with 7:15 remaining before being outscored 23-9 by the Buckeyes for the remainder of the game.

Back to Thornton, he finished with 31 points, 21 of those being scored in the second half. Thornton banked in a three-point with 7.8 seconds remaining. That shot was ultimately the game-winner.

To go along with his excellent scoring night, he added five rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block.

Thornton's 31 points were his most in a game since Dec. 29, when he scored 33 against Indiana State. The most he'd scored in a conference game before Thursday was 21 in a loss to Wisconsin.

Micah Parrish was the only other Ohio State player in double figures, finishing with 13 points.

Prior to Thursday's game, Ohio State was in position to secure one of the last four byes in Joe Lunardi's latest bracketology. 

With a home win against a top 25 team, the Buckeyes now sit well above the cut line and control their own destiny into the NCAA Tournament.