Ohio State and Rutgers are in the middle of a game it seems either one can win, and one that will most likely come down to the final possession or two if things continue the way they are. After ten lead changes between the two, Rutgers was able to head into the half up by the thinnest of margins 32-31, hitting a shot to end the first 20 minutes.
The Scarlet Knights have used a suffocating defense to cause issues for the Buckeyes on the offensive end. OSU is shooting just 42.9% from the floor, making 12-of-28 field goals including 4-of-11 from beyond the arc.
The good news for Ohio State, and one of the reasons that the Buckeyes were able to keep pace, was their work on the boards. OSU pulled down seven offensive rebounds and lead on the glass 16-to-12.
E.J. Liddell and Malaki Branham lead Ohio State at the half with eight points each, combining to shoot 6-of-11. Zed Key also has six points and might need to be an even bigger factor in the second half to pull the defense out of its shape.
Quick break then back to work #Team123 pic.twitter.com/7asnn2NAEn
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 10, 2022
Though OSU is down by just one point, it’ll have to shoot better in the second half to be able to pull this one out. The rebounding might still be there, but the Buckeyes can’t bank on out-rebounding Rutgers the rest of the way at home.
This is a massive game for Ohio State to try and steal away from home. Winning would do wonders for OSU’s chance to stay in the hunt for the Big Ten regular-season crown.
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