Buckeyes Pull Off Late Win, Down Penn State 71-70
By Dillon Davis
As Penn State’s Tony Carr drilled a three-pointer with 10 seconds left in the game to give his team a one point lead, it appeared that the Buckeyes’ turbulent season was about to be dealt another tough blow.
Jae’Sean Tate had other ideas.
With a smooth finish on a tough, left-handed hook, Tate gave Ohio State the lead right back. Carr’s half court attempt at the buzzer never threatened the rim, giving the Buckeyes a 71-70 win in State College.
Ohio State was in control throughout the first half, taking a four point lead into the break, despite 11 turnovers in the opening period. JaQuan Lyle led the Buckeyes, giving them 11 points off the bench.
The lead didn’t last long into the second half, as Penn State took their first lead of the game
less than two minutes into the period. As part of a 12-1 run, Penn State would lead by as many as nine in the early going of the final 20 minutes.
But the Buckeyes would have a run of their own, putting together a 9-0 spurt that regained the lead with just under seven minutes left to play.
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Ohio State would stay ahead up until Carr’s attempt at late-game heroics. But Tate, who was a rebound shy of a double-double, delivered the dagger to silence Bryce Jordan Arena. Tate finished with 12 points.
Lyle chipped in 17 huge points off the bench, while Marc Loving and Trevor Thompson added 14 and 11 points.
It was clear from the early going that Penn State was going to live or die by the three ball. They attempted 31 on the night, connecting on 11 of them. Shep Garner took 14 of those all on his own, hitting on five.
Garner finished with 20 points, but it was Carr who led the Nittany Lions with 21 points, including what would have been the game winner.
With NCAA tournament hopes long gone, the Buckeyes could have easily have gone in the tank. Instead, they’re playing hard and have won two straight.
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At 17-13 on the season, and 7-10 in the Big Ten, they have likely secured an NIT bid. The regular season finale is Sunday, as they will welcome Indiana into Value City Arena with an opportunity to carry the good vibes into the conference tournament next week.
Tipoff is set for Noon.