It looked like Ohio State had done enough to get a key win in the Big Ten, going up by as many as eight points late, but Rutgers went on a 10-0 run to end the game and thwarted the Buckeyes last-second three-point attempt by Justin Ahrens, blocking the shot to walk off with a 66-64 win.
For some reason, finishing games has been a problem for OSU the last couple of years. Being up by six points late and going 0-for-7 on field goals, while turning the ball over twice down the stretch doomed Ohio State in this one. The Buckeyes simply weren’t strong enough and tough enough down the stretch on the road. OSU was unable to do what it needed to keep pace near the top of the league.
Freshman guard Malaki Branham led the Buckeye attack on offense with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting. He was especially lethal from beyond the arc, knocking down 4-of-5 from deep to help Ohio State extend the lead late in the second half. Liddell was effective but didn’t have a great night from the floor, making 6-of-13 shots.
What’s even more perplexing is that OSU lost the game despite being lethal from beyond the arc in the second half. The Buckeyes finished 10-of-18 from 3-point range, outrebounded the Scarlet Knights for the game, and played pretty much even from the line, with turnovers and on the boards, yet still lost. Simply put; Ohio State picked the wrong time in the game to hit a snag — as the sands of the hourglass ran out.
That brotherly love. @Trey5mac_ ➡️ @BryceMcgowens5.
CC: @HuskerHoops pic.twitter.com/8CqdjYJxH2
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 10, 2022
With the loss, OSU drops to 14-6 overall and 7-4 in the league. The loss was a big blow towards hopes of winning a Big-Ten regular-season title but there is still plenty of work to do. The Buckeyes will look to get back in the win column Saturday vs. Michigan in Ann Arbor.
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