By all accounts, even though it was just a couple of exhibitions, the Ohio State basketball team and all those new faces had a very productive and positive experience in the Bahamas.
After turning back the Egyptian national team by four points on Saturday, the Buckeyes came back and took care of business again, this time against the Puerto Rican national squad 75-68. It wasn’t all chocolates and roses, but there are a lot of positives that can be taken from a competitive environment used as a bit of a developing tool.
And while there wasn’t a ton of media on hand to witness OSU’s work in paradise, the Columbus Dispatch’s Adam Jardy was there to provide as much context via social media as he could.
So that you can get an idea of how things went at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, we’re sharing Jardy’s posts with you.
About ready to get things going
Just getting to the Imperial Ballroom, where the #Buckeyes will play Puerto Rico at 5 p.m. Right now, N.C. State is up 54-38 at the half on a team labeled "Select" on the scoreboard.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
A good look at warm ups
#Buckeyes bigs Felix Okpara and Zed Key warming up with assistant coach Jack Owens before playing Puerto Rico in the Bahamas. @ Atlantis Bahamas https://t.co/fpuKK2v2Gh
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Puerto Rico starting off on fire from beyond the arc
Alfonso Plummer with a 3-pointer on Puerto Rico's first possession of the evening. And he just hit another.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Buckeyes behind after the first quarter
After one:
Puerto Rico 20, #Buckeyes 17. Alfonso Plummer with 12, Brice Sensabaugh with 7.Nice fast break with Thornton finding Gayle on the right wing and Gayle feeding a trailing Okpara for a powerful dunk. Ohio State then forced a shot clock violation to end the quarter.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Okpara is a project, but he could fill an important role for this team
Felix Okpara has kept two possessions alive simply by getting to offensive rebounds and tapping them out to teammates. #Buckeyes getting extra opportunities thanks to the big guy.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
You have to love Zed Key's emotion
WE HAVE FINGER GUNS IN THE BAHAMAS. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. I REPEAT: FINGER GUNS IN THE BAHAMAS.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Ohio State starts to take control
It's an 11-0 run for the #Buckeyes, who have turned it up offensively and defensively. Multiple guys diving for a loose ball to force a turnover. Just forced a shot clock violation, then Sean McNeil canned a jumper. OSU up 34-26 with 2:55 left in the second.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Bucks up at halftime
#Buckeyes take a 39-34 lead into the half. Alfonso Plummer had 14 for Puerto Rico but 10 of them were in the first four minutes. Brice Sensabaugh with 10 at the break. Ohio State played with a lot more defensive intensity as the half went on and it turned into offense.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Gearing up for the second half
Second half underway with the #Buckeyes up 39-34 on Puerto Rico.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Zed Key showing off his ability on the offensive end and raising the roof
Zed Key just dunked on all of Puerto Rico and raised the roof all the way back to halfcourt.#Buckeyes up 54-43 with 3:37 left in the third.
Tanner Holden had a crazy athletic play to start that break.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Ohio State heads to the 4th quarter with the lead looking to finish the deal
#Buckeyes take a 60-51 lead into the fourth quarter. Bruce Thornton has been doing some things, and he came up with a steal as well in the third.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
I mean it's a badge of honor right?
Felix Okpara hates seeing the ball going toward his own basket. He's got two goaltending calls today.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Defense will be key in stretches like these
Tanner Holden's three-point play breaks a stretch of one bucket in 12 possessions for the #Buckeyes, but they maintained the lead throughout. OSU up 67-60 with 4:49 left on Puerto Rico.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
Of course it wasn't going to be easy
Puerto Rico making a late charge. #Buckeyes ahead 70-66 with about two minutes to play. Interesting to see who steps up in moments like this and wants the ball. Who are the playmakers on this team? Still learning a lot.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
This felt like the nail in the coffin
Isaac Likekele with a bad turnover that leads to a runout and Puerto Rico bucket, cutting the #Buckeyes lead to 71-68. But at the other end, he makes up for it, picking Alfonso Plummer's pocket, setting up a Bruce Thornton strong drive and finish.
OSU 73-68 in the final minute.— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
And, that's a wrap!
Final from the Imperial Ballroom Atlantis:#Buckeyes 75, Puerto Rico 68. Ohio State goes 2-0 on its foreign exhibition trip.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) August 7, 2022
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