New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- The Ohio State Buckeyes lost 79-68 to the Cincinnati Bearcats on Wednesday in an outdoor exhibition at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. The 3 PM tip-off in the 2026 CareSource Invitational was Jake Diebler's first public look at his group before November. Ohio State led 35-30 at halftime and still held a 56-49 edge with about 10 minutes left, then watched Cincinnati close with a 49-33 second half.

A midday outdoor tip brought wind and glare the Buckeyes will not face in the regular season. Ohio State shot 40.7 percent from the field, 17.4 percent from three and only 20 of 36 free throws. The three-point line was the clearest miss, with the Buckeyes finishing 4-for-23.

"We are a much better shooting t...