Bruce Thornton was spectacular for the Buckeyes, scoring 29 points with 9 assists. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
With no margin for error to keep their NCAA tourney hopes alive, Ohio State avenged an earlier loss to Nebraska by beating the Cornhuskers in Columbus Tuesday, 116-114, in double overtime.
Columbus, OH – Whatever the NCAA selection committee ultimately decides on the Ohio State Buckeyes bid for a spot in the field of 64, no one can question their 116-114 double overtime win over Nebraska Tuesday as being one of the season’s most committed efforts of stating one’s case.
Leading by five points at halftime, Ohio State led by as much as 11 points in regulation before Nebraska’s Brice Williams got hot and steadily reeled them in over the final twenty minutes of regulation and tied the score at 89-89 to send the game into overtime.
But Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton would not be denied, either, and his play, along with Devin Royal, Micah Parrish, and John Mobley, Jr., sent the game to a second overtime tied at 99-99.
Ohio State’s John Mobley, Jr. somehow get his shot over Nebraska’s Brice Williams for 2 of his 20 points.
In a determined back-and-forth effort, the Buckeyes outscored Nebraska 17-15 over the second five-minute period to capture the win, and keep their NCAA tourney hopes alive.
Ironically, Nebraska entered the game needing a win to keep their hopes alive, and now stand at 17-13 for the season, the same as Ohio State.
Brice Williams had a phenomenal shooting night for Nebraska, leading all scorers with 43 points.
Thornton’s 29 led Ohio State, but Royal (22 pts), Parrish (22 pts.), and Mobley (20 pts) gave Ohio State the advantage of having four players with 20 points or more…93 of Ohio State’s total of 116 points.
Both teams shot 53% from the floor, while Nebraska shot 42% from three-point range, compared to Ohio State’s 38% from behind the arc.
The Buckeyes are squarely on the selection committee’s bubble, and must win over Indiana on Saturday to help their chances for an at-large bid.
The Ohio State – Indiana game will be televised on CBS, at 4 PM.
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